NEW YORK, NY – A Bronx man has been found guilty in the shooting death of 17-year-old Brandon Hendricks, a high school basketball star and academic standout. Nahjim Luke, 26, was convicted on first-degree manslaughter and second-degree weapon possession for firing the shots that killed Hendricks at a barbecue in the Bronx. Hendricks had just graduated from high school and was preparing to play college basketball for St. John’s University.
According to prosecutors, Luke fired shots at a group of people gathered at a barbecue on Davidson Avenue on June 28, with one of the bullets striking Hendricks in the back. He was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour later. Luke fled the scene but was taken into custody about a week later. He now faces up to 25 years in prison.
Hendricks, a point guard for the Eagles, had recently graduated from James Monroe High School and had never had any interactions with the police. His family, friends, and community were devastated by his death and sought answers as to why the deadly bullet had been fired in the first place.
Following Hendricks’ tragic death, his coach took to Instagram to remember him as both an athletic and academic leader, leaving behind a legacy of excellence both on and off the court. The senseless loss of a promising young talent has left the community in mourning, raising questions about gun violence and its impact on young lives.
The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence in communities across the country. The promising future of a young athlete and scholar was abruptly cut short, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him. As the community continues to grieve, the conviction of Nahjim Luke brings a semblance of closure and justice for the senseless act that took Brandon Hendricks away from his loved ones.