NEW YORK — Community members gathered in Brooklyn over the weekend to mourn former college basketball standout and professional player Kinu Rochford, who was fatally shot during an outdoor basketball tournament in Harlem, as police continued searching for the gunman and investigating what authorities have described as a targeted attack.
Rochford, 35, died after being shot in the head during the Kingdome Basketball Tournament on Friday night at the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers basketball courts, according to the New York Police Department. Two other people, a 28-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, were also wounded and were reported in stable condition. Authorities have not announced any arrests and said the investigation remains ongoing.
On Sunday evening, hundreds of residents, friends and former teammates gathered at Brooklyn's Wingate Park for a memorial honoring Rochford, whose basketball career took him from neighborhood courts to Fairleigh Dickinson University and professional leagues across Europe. Family members said tributes had arrived from former teammates and acquaintances in several countries where he had played.
Fairleigh Dickinson University expressed condolences following Rochford's death, describing him as a standout student-athlete and leader during his collegiate career. The university said he left a lasting impact on teammates and the basketball program.
According to police, investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute, though officials have not publicly identified a suspect or disclosed a motive. Detectives are continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses from the tournament, which drew hundreds of spectators.
The killing renewed concerns about gun violence at community sporting events in New York City. During the memorial, anti-violence advocates joined relatives and residents in urging young people to reject gun violence while calling for accountability in the case. Rochford's family said they hoped those responsible would be brought to justice.
Rochford, a Brooklyn native, played professionally in multiple European countries after graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson. Friends and community members remembered him as someone who remained connected to his hometown despite an international basketball career, returning frequently to support local events and players.
As of Monday, the NYPD had not announced any arrests or identified a suspect. Authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators as the homicide investigation continues.
