Laquai Dash: Bronx teen gunned down over 'senseless' social media feud involving GF, suspect at large

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

BRONX, NEW YORK: Laquai Dash, a 17-year-old Bronx student and promising football player, fell victim to a broad-daylight shooting stemming from a senseless social media feud involving his girlfriend.

The incident occurred on Thursday, March 8, around 4:15 pm just a block away from Legacy College High School, where Laquai attended. Shot three times, the teen collapsed on Cauldwell Avenue, unable to evade the bullets that struck his neck and back.

Timeline of Laquai Dash's shooting

The altercation originated from an online dispute, leading another girl to confront Laquai's girlfriend at the high school, as revealed by his grandmother, Vivian Coward. Allegedly, the girl brought her boyfriend for protection.

Coward explained, "Laquai’s girlfriend and another little girl got into a fight. Laquai’s girlfriend was beating up the other little girl. That girl’s boyfriend went and put Laquai’s girlfriend in a chokehold. Laquai then put him in a chokehold to get him off his girlfriend, so he turned around and shot Laquai in the neck," reported New York Post.

The assailant, still unidentified and at large, took Laquai's life in what his family deems a wholly senseless act. “They don’t be beefing over nothing important, I’m telling you that now,” said the slain boy’s aunt, Lucy White.

“Everybody talking s**t on social media, then come out and start shooting. You wanna fight, fight with your hands! You get beat up, you get beat up, come back another day. Now these kids want to use every weapon in the book.”

Laquai Dash's untimely death leaves family devastated

Despite the efforts of emergency services, Laquai was pronounced dead at Lincoln Medical Center. Notably, the shooter and his girlfriend did not attend the same high school as the victim. “This was all over social media,” Coward alleged. “Laquai died over nothing. It was senseless. Wholly senseless.”

Laquai, described as a “decent kid” and a “good grandson,” was looking forward to a senior class trip to Spain and harbored aspirations of a career in the hospitality industry. His untimely death leaves behind a shattered family and friends who cherished his kindness and camaraderie.

“My brother was really kind. He was always there for me,” said Laquai’s sister Nia’sky Dash, 12. “He meant the world to me. I knew I always had him. Even when the world was against me, he had me. Even though he isn’t here, I know he is looking over me, making sure that I’m safe and OK."