On a spring afternoon in Calverton, New York, a dispute between two groups of young people escalated with tragic finality, ending the life of 15-year-old Preston Gamble on April 12, 2023. The altercation, which began as a fistfight, took a deadly turn when gunfire erupted at the Calverton Hills condominium complex. Gamble, a male student at Riverhead High School, was struck by a bullet.
In the immediate aftermath, his family rushed him to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
The shooting, which occurred around 3:55 p.m. on Hill Circle, sent shockwaves through the community. The Riverhead Central School District was left to mourn the loss of one of its students, making counselors and support staff available to help students and faculty cope with the sudden act of violence. In the days that followed, friends, family, and community members gathered for vigils to remember Preston, a young man who enjoyed basketball, football, and wrestling.
The investigation into Preston Gamble's death was launched immediately by Suffolk County Police homicide detectives. While the case has remained active, a year has passed without an arrest being made. Law enforcement officials have indicated that they have a suspect in mind, but have not publicly released a name or made an arrest, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Preston's mother has expressed her hope for justice, stating that she is in regular contact with detectives and understands that releasing too much information could jeopardize the case.
The community continues to await a resolution as the investigation proceeds. Preston's family, including his parents, Charles Gamble and Chakara Jones, and his numerous siblings, have been left to navigate their profound loss. His mother has spoken about the deep impact his death has had on his siblings, particularly a stepbrother who witnessed the shooting. While the family waits for a breakthrough in the case, the memory of Preston Gamble is kept alive by those who knew and loved him.
