Police: Shooter in custody, teen victim believed to be second shooter at Eisenhower Park
The 15-year-old boy, killed in the triple shooting Wednesday night, was also believed to be one of the shooters, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told News 12 today.
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Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said multiple people have been arrested and a couple of weapons have been recovered following the fatal shooting at Eisenhower Park.
The 15-year-old boy, killed in the triple shooting Wednesday night, was also believed to be one of the shooters, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told News 12 today.
"He had one of the weapons," Ryder said.
That update came right after the victim's family exclusively identified the teen as Chase, a freshman at Longwood High School, according to his half-sister Destiny Nalls.
"He was just a light, he was a really bright kid, he was a comedian, he always had people laughing," Chase's half-sister, Destiny Nalls, said. "I'm not going to say he was a perfect child because Chase, he was a little bit troubled, but he was a teenager finding himself."
In a statement to News 12, the Longwood Central School District Superintendent Dr. Lance Lohman stated:
"The loss of a young person is a heartbreak that words simply cannot capture, and this tragedy touches every corner of our school community.
Our focus has been and will continue to be on supporting our students, teachers, staff, and families who have all been impacted. We understand that grief looks different for everyone, and in moments like these we want every member of our community to know that support is available. Our mental health team remains in place to continue to provide that support and we encourage any of our families in need to reach out to a teacher, counselor, or the building principal if they or their child need anything at all.
We ask that the privacy of those grieving be honored, and out of respect for the family during this profoundly difficult time, we ask that the media join with our community in respecting the sanctity of our school environment and the privacy of our students and staff as we navigate this difficult time together."
Ryder told News 12 that officers believe they have the shooter in custody.
"We wait for forensics to come back before we can turn around and make that actual charge on that individual," he said.
He added that a couple of people have been arrested and a couple of weapons were recovered.
This comes one day after a 17-year-old, who News 12 is not identifying because of his age, pleaded not guilty to a criminal possession of a weapon charge.
In court Thursday afternoon, prosecutors said Nassau County police saw the Westbury teen at the park attempting to leave before he entered a gated area where a loaded high-capacity 9mm handgun was recovered.
Prosecutors said two 9mm shell casings were found at the scene, but the teen has not been charged in connection with the shooting.
His attorney and family denied that the teen did any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday night, Ryder said police arrested two people who both had weapons on them.
Nassau County police said officers responded to Eisenhower Park Parking Field Two around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving multiple calls for shots fired.
Investigators said a 15-year-old boy, identified as Quacere "Chase" Hagans, was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound, where he died. Two other men, ages 28 and 31, also sustained gunshot wounds and are in critical condition.
Nassau County police have not provided any additional identifying information on the other victims.
Ryder said the shooting happened after a group of people had gathered at the park for a "so-called barbecue" for members of the Bloods gang.
Two people got into an argument, which sparked the shooting, investigators said.
