In a tragic turn of events on an August evening in Glen Cove, New York, the life of 15-year-old male Derek Cosme was cut short. On August 2, 2017, inside a home on Williams Street, what began as play among three teenage friends ended in a devastating accident. Derek, along with two of his friends, was handling a loaded handgun when the weapon discharged. The single shot struck Derek in the temple, and he was pronounced dead at the scene when authorities arrived.
The incident unfolded at the home of one of Derek’s friends. The handgun, a revolver, was legally licensed and belonged to a resident of the house, who was identified as a retired Nassau County corrections officer and the grandmother of one of the teens. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Derek's two friends, both teenagers themselves, did not call 911 directly but instead ran to a neighbor’s house for help. The neighbor then placed the call to the police. When officers arrived, the two friends were reportedly forthcoming and led investigators to their friend.
The investigation into Derek's death focused on how the three boys gained access to the loaded weapon. Authorities questioned why the firearm was not securely stored, as is advised for all licensed pistol holders in Nassau County, although there were no specific laws at the time mandating it. Glen Cove and Nassau County detectives sought to understand the timeline of events, including how much time passed between the gunshot and the emergency call. The family of the gun owner was questioned, but at the time of the initial reports, no charges had been filed in connection with the fatal incident, and the investigation was ongoing.
Known affectionately as 'Go-Go,' Derek was the youngest of five children and the only son, with four older sisters. He was described by his family as a good, outgoing, and smart kid who was loved by many and preferred video games to real-world dangers. He was poised to begin his junior year at Glen Cove High School, but his future was tragically erased in a moment of what police described as horseplay. The sudden loss left his family heartbroken and searching for answers as to how such a senseless tragedy could have occurred.
