A tragic shooting claimed the life of 16-year-old Ka’Mardre Coleman on the evening of Monday March 23, 2026 inside an apartment building in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
Ka’Mardre was hanging out with a group of friends when a 16-year-old boy whose mother is an NYPD officer brought a loaded pink and black firearm into the gathering. The teens were passing the gun around taking videos and photos with it when the 16-year-old attempted to remove the magazine causing the weapon to discharge.
Ka’Mardre was struck in the chest and friends immediately performed CPR until paramedics arrived and rushed him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. The apartment building is located in a residential section of Sheepshead Bay where such gatherings are common among local youth.
Ka’Mardre Coleman was a junior at Sheepshead Bay High School where he was a three-sport athlete excelling in football basketball and track. He wore the number 5 jersey on both the football and basketball teams and was remembered by teammates as a picture-perfect example of a student athlete who was great at everything and helped make the team champions.
He had previously struggled with academics but worked hard to improve his grades until they matched his athletic achievements landing him on the dean’s list. His coaches and friends described him as hardworking talented inspiring and encouraging always uplifting those around him in the Sheepshead Bay community.
Those closest to Ka’Mardre remembered him as a bright kid with a big heart who was still trying to find his purpose and path in life. His family described him as a loving brother to his four siblings and a caring partner to his girlfriend with a charming and charismatic personality that included a contagious smile and a gift for making people laugh.
He loved making TikTok videos and dances and had an artistic side that included singing church songs with his grandmother. His older sister said he was her heart her baby and a bright light who was a mentor to kids his nephews and nieces.
Ka’Mardre’s pastor at New Life Deliverance Tabernacle described him as like my son noting that the teen visited and worshiped with the congregation and volunteered in the church’s food distribution ministry. The pastor shared that Ka’Mardre helped load vans and deliver food to apartments in the community and that the church took him under its wing to guide him toward becoming a productive young man.
The Sheepshead Bay community and Sheepshead Bay High School have been left in profound grief with extra counseling services activated for students and staff. Family and friends have shared heartfelt tributes highlighting Ka’Mardre’s positive spirit and the void left by his loss just four days before his 17th birthday.
A GoFundMe has been established to support funeral expenses and the family’s needs as they navigate this unimaginable time. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of condolences from local residents who remember his goofy affectionate nature and the way he brightened every space he entered.
The New York City Police Department continues its active investigation into the March 23 shooting in the apartment building in Sheepshead Bay with the 16-year-old suspect charged with manslaughter and related offenses. Detectives are reviewing witness statements and video evidence from the gathering as the case proceeds through the court system.
The family has urged the community to keep Ka’Mardre’s name alive and not let his death be in vain while calling for greater awareness around gun safety among youth. As the investigation advances authorities maintain focus on providing answers for the family of the 16-year-old whose life ended far too soon in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn.
