A late-night confrontation in Sunset Park turned deadly on March 6, 2026, when 14-year-old Johary Cantave was shot while a passenger in a car. The vehicle was being driven by a friend’s father, Pedro Castellano, around 11:40 p.m. near 46th Street and Ninth Avenue after Castellano’s son rode ahead on a moped. Three unidentified males wearing ski masks and black clothing reportedly began harassing the moped rider; one produced a firearm and Castellano told his son to flee. As Castellano searched for his son, the assailants opened fire on the car. A single bullet struck Johary in the head; he was taken to Maimonides Hospital and pronounced dead.

A shell casing was recovered at the scene and the NYPD is investigating, but no arrests have been announced and the three suspects remain at large. Johary, the youngest of three siblings and a student at John Dewey High School, was remembered by family and friends as smart and always looking out for others; candles spelling out his nickname Chris were placed outside his apartment building. If anyone has information about that night or the attackers, please share what you know.