Mom of 13-year-old left brain-dead after shooting at NYC Dunkin’ praying for recovery: ‘Miracles do happen’

The Queens community is reeling after a tragic incident left 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel on life support after being shot in the head outside a Dunkin’ Donuts. His mother, Vilene Griffith, is holding out hope for a miracle as her son remains in critical condition at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

Sanjay, a student at Martin Van Buren High School, is described as a talented basketball player with aspirations of becoming a firefighter. Witnesses recounted a heartbreaking scene where a gunman on a scooter shot the young boy outside the coffee shop after a brief altercation. The suspect, described as having an afro and carrying a “JAWS” bookbag, fled the scene.

Sanjay’s father, Theophilus Samuel, shared that the bullet is still lodged in the back of his son’s head, making it too risky for surgeons to attempt removal. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, but a classmate suggested that Sanjay may have fallen in with the wrong crowd recently.

Despite the lack of arrests, Sanjay’s father condemned the shooter as a coward and questioned how they could live with taking another person’s life. Vilene Griffith expressed her anguish at the situation, mourning the loss of her son’s bright future.

As the community grapples with this senseless act of violence, prayers and support pour in for Sanjay and his family. The hope for a miracle remains strong, as loved ones cling to the belief that Sanjay will defy the odds and recover.