A young man's life was cut short in a fatal shooting that transpired in Queens, New York. Cristobal Alfredo Ixquier Mejia, 19 years old, was shot and killed on the night of Thursday, January 6, 2022. The incident occurred around 9:57 p.m. at the intersection of 147th Place and Jamaica Avenue. Responding to a 911 call, police officers discovered Mejia at the scene with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Emergency medical services promptly transported Cristobal Alfredo Ixquier Mejia to Jamaica
Hospital Medical Center. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Early reports and further investigation into the circumstances of the shooting suggested that the incident may have been a case of mistaken identity. It is believed that the assailant wrongly perceived Mejia as a member of the Bloods street gang.
In connection with the deadly shooting, the New York Police Department took a suspect into custody at the scene. The individual was identified as 20-year-old Shareese Smith. A firearm was also recovered by the authorities. Smith was subsequently charged with murder, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, criminal possession of a disguised gun, and criminal possession of a firearm. The investigation into the death of Cristobal Alfredo Ixquier Mejia has remained ongoing.
