Brooklyn teenager sought by NYPD after allegedly shooting stepfather during domestic dispute over smoking

NYPD is searching for a 16-year-old boy who allegedly shot and killed his stepfather, Jamel Davis, following an argument over smoking in a Brooklyn apartment.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 10:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Mercury News

Domestic Altercation Escalates to Fatal Shooting in Fort Greene

A domestic dispute within a Brooklyn public housing complex turned lethal early Monday morning, leaving a 43 year old man dead and his teenage stepson on the run. The New York City Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at the Walt Whitman Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development in the Fort Greene neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, identified as Jamel Davis, suffering from critical gunshot wounds inflicted during what investigators describe as a heated familial confrontation.

Dispute Over Household Rules Leads to Gunfire

The motive behind the violence appears to be rooted in a disagreement over basic household conduct. According to preliminary police reports, Davis was involved in a sharp verbal exchange with his 16 year old stepson regarding the teenager smoking inside the family’s apartment. The argument, which initially centered on the violation of indoor smoking rules, rapidly deteriorated when the teenager allegedly produced a firearm and discharged it at his stepfather, resulting in a fatal outcome that has devastated the household.

Active Manhunt Underway for Teenage Suspect

Following the shooting, the 16 year old suspect fled the apartment building before police could arrive at the scene. NYPD detectives have officially classified the youth as a fugitive and are currently scouring the surrounding Brooklyn area to take him into custody. Law enforcement officials have not yet released the name of the minor due to his age, but they have emphasized that the search is a high priority given the violent nature of the crime and the use of a firearm in a residential setting.