QUEENS, N.Y. — A Sunday evening near a popular Queens park turned frightening after a 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg just steps from a children’s playground, according to police.

The shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. near the corner of 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue, close to Rufus King Park. The NYPD said the gunman was dressed in head-to-toe black before fleeing the area on foot.

The victim was quickly found and treated by emergency personnel before being transported to Jamaica Hospital. He was listed in stable condition, according to authorities.

Investigators are now working to determine what led to the shooting and whether the teenager was specifically targeted.

Gunman Flees After Opening Fire

According to police, the suspect fired at the teenager before escaping on foot.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, including what happened immediately before the gunfire and whether the victim knew the shooter.

The lack of a clear motive has left investigators with several unanswered questions as they work to piece together what happened.

The shooting occurred near a section of Rufus King Park that includes several recreational facilities and is used by families and young people.

For people nearby, the sudden sound of gunfire was enough to send fear through the area.

Witnesses Hear Gunshots Near Playground

Neighbor Abdulahead Erragi said he was inside his home across from the park when he heard the shots. Erragi said he did not immediately go outside because he was frightened by what was happening.

“I didn’t come outside, I was still in my home. I was scared myself because of what happened,” he said.

Afterward, he looked outside and saw a group of teenagers leaving the area.

Erragi described seeing numerous young people together near the park following the shooting. He also raised concerns about what he said he has observed around the area, including drug use and smoking.

His comments reflect the unease some residents now feel following the shooting, particularly because the incident happened close to a space where children regularly play.

Woman Sitting in Park Recalls Sudden Gunfire

Amber Logan was inside Rufus King Park when the shooting occurred. She was sitting on a bench when she suddenly heard what sounded like gunfire.

Police Say Florida Husband Attacked Sleeping Wife, Then Denied Having Anything to Do With It

“There was a big bang, or a couple of bangs and then birds flying. I didn’t really know what was going on, but I thought there was danger,” Logan said.

The experience has changed the way she views spending time at the park. Logan said she may look for another place to spend time if she feels the area is becoming unsafe because of violence.

“I’m going to find a safer place to hang out if this is gonna be where people are gonna want to do violence,” she said.

Her concerns highlight the broader impact of a shooting that injured one teenager but also left nearby residents and park visitors shaken.

Rufus King Park Offers Recreation for Families

The shooting happened near a park that serves as an important recreational space in the Jamaica neighborhood.

Rufus King Park features a children’s playground, spray showers, a soccer field and a handball court, along with the historic King Manor Museum.

Because of the park’s facilities, families and young people regularly spend time in the area.

The shooting therefore raised concerns among people who live nearby or use the park for recreation, particularly those who were in or around the green space when the gunfire erupted.

Police Search for Suspect

The NYPD has not announced any arrests in connection with the shooting. Investigators are still trying to identify the gunman dressed in black and determine exactly what prompted the confrontation.

Police have also not established whether the 14-year-old was the intended target or whether he was caught in the line of fire. The teenager’s condition was described as stable, providing some relief after the violent incident.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as the investigation continues. For residents, the incident has raised fresh concerns about safety in and around a neighborhood park where children and families gather.

What do you think can be done to make public parks safer for children and families? Share your thoughts in the comments.