Who Was Kinu Rochford? Professional Basketball Player Killed in Shooting in Harlem Last Night

Rochford, a former player for Fairleigh Dickinson University, was remembered for his contributions to basketball and his community. Investigations continue.

A professional basketball player was shot dead and two other people were injured after gunfire broke out at an outdoor basketball tournament in New York City’s Harlem neighbourhood, police said. Kinu Rochford, 35, was fatally shot at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday during the Kingdome Basketball Tournament at the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers on Lenox Avenue.

Police said Rochford, who lived in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighbourhood, had been playing in the tournament but was watching between games when he was struck twice in the head.

Witnesses told local media that Rochford was shot a second time after he had fallen to the ground, although police have not confirmed that account.

Emergency responders performed CPR before taking Rochford to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two bystanders were also injured in the shooting. Police said a 28-year-old man was shot in the shin and a 22-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to her right forearm. Both were taken to Harlem Hospital and are in stable condition.

Authorities said there were about 500 people attending the tournament at the time of the shooting. No arrests have been made and the motive remains under investigation.

Rochford played for Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey between 2011 and 2013 before beginning a professional career overseas in 2013. He won the Lithuanian National Basketball League championship with Garonne Sūduva-Mantinga in 2017.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Fairleigh Dickinson University said: “FDU is devastated to hear of the tragic passing of former men’s basketball player Kinu Rochford (’13).

“A standout Knight and leader, Rochford built a legacy in Hackensack. He was 35 years old.”

A local resident who identified himself only as “Freak” said Friday marked the opening day of the annual tournament after play had been delayed by rain.

“This s–t needs to stop,” he told the New York Post. “I got kids running around these projects.” He said around 500 people had gathered to watch the games and warned the shooting could threaten the future of the community event.

“This is a day for the community and we’re probably not gonna have this no more,” he said. “We need more police (on) patrol.”

Another resident, Jessica Montgomery, who said she has lived in the housing complex for a decade, described hearing the gunfire. “It sounded like a firework,” she said. “And then I heard it again and people started running.”

A witness identified only as “Wavy” said he saw paramedics trying to save Rochford. “He was one of the players,” he said. “He was just warming up for the next game.”

“All I know is that young black man that came out here to play basketball and he is not going home tonight,” he added.

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