Neo Secaira, a bright and compassionate 17-year-old from College Point, Queens, tragically lost his life on the night of April 12, 2025, in a heartbreaking act of violence that has shaken his community and devastated those who knew and loved him.
Neo was fatally shot near the Love of Christ Presbyterian Church in Bayside in what police believe was a murder-suicide driven by a romantic dispute. Despite medics rushing him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, he could not be saved.
Neo’s life, though short, was full of promise and determination. A student at Bayside High School, he was a proud member of the school swim team. His neighbors and friends remember him as someone who always had a kind word, a helping hand, and a heart full of generosity.
“He was such a good kid,” one elderly neighbor shared. “He would say hello to everybody. Any time anybody needed anything, he would look out for them.”
Neo was known for his dedication to school and work, often seen tinkering with his car or rushing off to his job. He dreamed of becoming a lawyer — a goal he pursued with passion and persistence.
“He was excellent,” said another neighbor, who recalled seeing Neo leave the house just a day before the tragedy. “I know the kid works hard… All I’ve ever seen him do is go to school and work.”
Online, his friends are mourning a young life taken too soon. In heartfelt tributes, many described him as the most selfless person they knew. An ex-girlfriend, not involved in the incident, wrote:
“You had the biggest heart and you were the most generous person I knew… You said you believed in heaven, and I know that’s where you are right now.”
Another friend added,
“You spent your entire career saving people, but it ended like this… I promise I’ll be successful for the both of us.”
Neo’s mother, a hardworking woman admired in the neighborhood, is left shattered by the loss of her only son. Friends and neighbors are rallying around the family in support, unable to comprehend the senseless violence that took away such a good soul.
Neo Secaira will be remembered for his radiant spirit, his unwavering kindness, and the dreams he carried in his heart. His absence leaves a void that words cannot fill, but his memory will forever live on in those whose lives he touched.
Rest in peace, Neo. You deserved the world, and we’ll never forget you.