In the Fordham Heights neighborhood of the Bronx, a promising young life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. Saikou Koma, a 21-year-old male college student, was fatally shot in the head on the evening of October 24, 2021. Koma, who was attending the Borough of Manhattan Community College and also working as a deliveryman, was with a friend on Ryer Avenue near East 183rd Street when the shooting occurred. He was rushed to St.
Barnabas Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. His family, immigrants from Sierra Leone and Gambia, described him as a quiet and intelligent young man, left devastated and searching for answers.
The investigation into Koma's death revealed a tragic case of mistaken identity. Authorities determined that Koma was not the intended target of what they believe to be a gang-related shooting. The perpetrators were reportedly looking for someone else when they came across Koma and his friend and opened fire. There was no connection between Saikou Koma and his assailants.
Three individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the murder. The suspects were identified as Steven Mendez, who was 17 at the time of the incident, Jayran Liranzo, and Samson Walston. The legal proceedings that followed were complex and emotionally fraught for Koma's family. At one point, the murder indictment against Steven Mendez was dismissed by a judge, causing significant distress to the family.
Ultimately, justice for Saikou Koma saw progress through the court system. Steven Mendez later pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and in September 2024, was sentenced to 19 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. In June 2025, Jayran Liranzo was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and criminal possession of a weapon. His co-defendant, Samson Walston, was also found guilty of murder and other charges and is awaiting sentencing.
