Mother reflects on 18-year-old son fatally shot outside Longwood party
On Oct. 28, police found the teen with gunshot wounds to his head and torso around 7 p.m. outside of 961 Rev James A. Polite Ave. He was rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, but could not be saved.
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A heartbroken family is speaking out after 18-year-old Joshua Sparrow was shot and killed outside of a party in Longwood.
On Oct. 28, police found the teen with gunshot wounds to his head and torso around 7 p.m. outside of 961 Rev James A. Polite Ave. He was rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, but could not be saved.
Sparrow’s mother, Jenny, says her son was visiting the building with his 15-year-old cousin for a birthday party when Sparrow was killed. The shooting happened less than a 10-minute walk from his cousin’s home where Sparrow had been staying.
The family says the two teens were confronted by a trio in masks who started shooting almost immediately.
“And before he could get a word out, he got shot in the face,” the grieving mother told News 12 over Zoom. “[He’s] never been in jail. He’s never had [a] criminal record. All his teachers loved him. He was not this kid.”
As police continue to search for the killer, the victim’s mother shared a powerful message for those responsible: “I forgive them and I pray for them and I hope that they forgive themselves and make peace within themselves.”
Sparrow’s family says he had dreams of being a lawyer, and loved to sing and dance.
Police are continuing to investigate and have not made any arrests.
