Nassau County authorities have provided further details regarding the deadly shooting at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York, which occurred on the evening of Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
The 15-year-old victim has been identified in community tributes and local reports as Quacere “Chase” Hagans.
The Incident at Field 2
The Setting: Police report that a gathering of approximately 100 people took place at Field 2 for what was advertised on social media as a “barbecue.” However, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder stated the event was actually a meeting organized by members of the Bloods gang.
The Gunfire: Around 8:27 p.m., an argument broke out among the attendees, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
The Victims: Three people were struck by bullets. Quacere Hagans was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two other men, aged 28 and 31, were hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
The Investigation: Victim and Shooter
The investigation into the shooting has revealed a complex and tragic scenario regarding the 15-year-old’s role:
“Victim and Shooter”: Preliminary evidence and witness statements suggest that Hagans was not merely a bystander. Sources close to the investigation indicate that he was allegedly armed and involved in the exchange of gunfire before he was fatally struck.
Arrests: Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. One of them, a 17-year-old from Westbury, was arraigned on charges of criminal possession of a weapon after police recovered a loaded 9mm handgun near where he was seen fleeing. Ballistics are currently being analyzed to see if that weapon matches the shell casings found at the scene.
Community Impact
The shooting has shocked the East Meadow community, as Eisenhower Park is the largest public park in Nassau County and is generally considered a safe family space. Commissioner Ryder emphasized that the individuals involved appeared to have traveled from the Bronx and Suffolk County specifically for this “centralized” meeting, noting that no Nassau County residents have yet been identified among the core group involved in the violence.
