Claudia Quaatey was 16 and a sophomore at the Queens High School of Teaching when she was struck by a stray bullet on the evening of May 10, 2023, while sitting in a parked car with a friend on Lucas Street in St. Albans, near a school playground. Investigators believe the shooting was part of a shootout between two groups and that Claudia was not the intended target. She was taken to a hospital and died of her injuries on May 22, 2023.

The NYPD opened a homicide investigation and has identified three young men as suspects, releasing surveillance footage of them walking in the area after the shooting. A reward has been posted for information leading to arrest and conviction. No arrests had been announced as of the latest update. Claudia’s family organized a GoFundMe to assist with funeral and medical expenses; a funeral took place in early June.

Claudia was remembered as a caring daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, and friend who enjoyed track, dance, and styling hair and hoped to become a nurse. If anyone has information that could help bring those responsible to justice, please come forward.