On a Friday evening in Astoria, Queens, the vibrant nightlife was shattered by sudden violence that claimed the life of 21-year-old Jaheim Hamilton, a Black male from the Bronx. On March 31, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Hamilton and his friend, 22-year-old Xavier Roberts, were walking in front of 24-15 Steinway Street when they were approached by three unidentified individuals.
In a swift and brutal attack, two of the suspects drew firearms and opened fire, striking both Hamilton and Roberts multiple times in the torso.
The assailants immediately fled the scene, escaping in a distinctive red Jeep Grand Cherokee that had a red and black hood. The vehicle was last seen speeding eastbound on the Grand Central Parkway, leaving chaos in its wake. When emergency services arrived, they found Roberts on the street with multiple gunshot wounds. A short distance away, Hamilton was discovered inside the doorway of a building at 24-35 38th Street, where he had apparently run for cover after being shot. Both men were rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, but their injuries were too severe, and both were pronounced dead.
Investigators from the 114th Precinct believe the attack was not random and that Hamilton and Roberts were specifically targeted, although a clear motive for the shooting has not been established. The New York Police Department has released surveillance images of the three suspects, who were all wearing black hoods and masks that obscured their identities. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the double homicide, and the investigation remains active.
The incident left the Astoria community shaken, with residents and local workers expressing growing concern over the safety of the neighborhood, which is known for its concentration of nightclubs. Witnesses who were in the area, some leaving evening prayers at a nearby mosque, reported hearing a rapid succession of gunshots before seeing the victims fall and the suspects flee. Police are continuing to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to the arrest of the individuals responsible for the deaths of Jaheim Hamilton and Xavier Roberts.
