NEW YORK, N.Y. – A teenager has been apprehended and charged in connection with the shocking broad-daylight shooting death of another teenager who was getting off a public bus in Queens, an incident that has sent waves of fear and outrage through the community.

The New York Police Department confirmed that a male teenager, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was taken into custody following an intensive investigation into the brazen afternoon slaying that occurred in the Jamaica neighborhood. He faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Sincere Jazmin, was stepping off an MTA bus at the corner of Liberty Avenue and 172nd Street at approximately 2:40 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon when the violence erupted. According to police, a dispute that began on the bus is believed to have spilled out onto the street.

Witnesses reported that another teenager, who had also just exited the bus, pulled out a handgun and fired a single, fatal shot into Jazmin’s chest. The assailant, wearing a mask, fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim to stumble into a nearby bodega where he collapsed.

“He was just a kid coming home from school,” one visibly shaken local resident told reporters. “To be shot down like that, in the middle of the day, it’s just terrifying. Our children aren’t safe.”

Emergency services rushed Jazmin to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. The brazen nature of the attack, occurring as schools were letting out, has left the community demanding answers and action.

Police officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and are looking into whether the dispute was gang-related. They have reviewed surveillance footage from the bus and nearby businesses which reportedly played a crucial role in identifying the suspect.

“The swift apprehension of this individual is a testament to the tireless work of our detectives,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. “We understand the fear and anger this senseless act has caused, and we are committed to ensuring that justice is served.”

The family of Sincere Jazmin has been notified and is said to be devastated by the loss of the young man, who was described by friends as a vibrant and well-liked individual with a promising future.

This tragic incident has once again ignited a fierce debate among city officials and community leaders about the proliferation of guns on the streets and the safety of the city’s public transportation system. Local activists are calling for increased police presence and more robust youth outreach programs to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

The accused teenager is expected to be arraigned in Queens Criminal Court, where the full scope of the case against him will be presented. The community now watches and waits, hoping for a measure of peace and a step toward healing from this brutal act of violence that has stolen another young life.