Family members, friends and neighbors declined to speak with News 12 on camera on Monday, but they said the victim, Johary Cantave, was “a good kid” who was the youngest of his siblings and a student at John Dewey High School.
A growing memorial sat outside of the apartment building where Cantave lived.
A friend said the dozens of lit candles spelled out “E-4-C" meaning “Everything for Chris,” because the teen was known by his loved ones as Chris.
Police said the fatal shooting happened just before midnight on Friday near 46th Street and 9th Avenue.
Sources told News 12 that the teen was sitting in the back seat of a car while getting a ride home from a friend’s stepfather. They were at a traffic light when there was some sort of dispute, then Cantave was shot in the head.
In surveillance video obtained by News 12, you can hear what appeared to be a single gunshot and then see three people running from the scene.
Cantave was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
It was unclear exactly what led up to the shooting or if the teen was the intended target.
Police said they are searching for three men wearing ski masks.