A community basketball tournament in Harlem turned deadly on Friday night when a lone gunman opened fire on the crowded courts, killing a 35‑year‑old former college player and wounding two others. The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers basketball courts, where the Kingdome Basketball Tournament was taking place.
A Night of Celebration Marred by Violence
The tournament, delayed by inclement weather, was just getting underway when the shots rang out. Witnesses said the victim, Kinu Rochford, a former Fairleigh Dickinson University men’s basketball player, was preparing for his next game when the attack unfolded. He was shot twice in the head and once more after he fell to the ground.
Two other participants — a 28‑year‑old man and a 22‑year‑old woman — were struck by stray bullets but are expected to survive their injuries. Approximately 500 spectators were present when the gunfire erupted, and one resident, Jessica Montgomery, initially mistook the sounds for fireworks before realizing the danger.
Calls for Safety Amid Ongoing Inquiry
No arrests have been made and investigators have yet to determine a motive. Community leaders and local officials have called for increased police presence at future events, urging organizers to bolster security measures. Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers.