Police are asking for witnesses to come forward after a former basketball star was killed in a devastating Harlem shooting on Friday that also injured two others during a basketball tournament.
Kinu Rochford, 35, has been identified as the man who lost his life during the opening game of a basketball tournament on July 10. The Brooklyn man was found with a gunshot wound to his head at around 10:23 p.m. He was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital.
Rochford left a lasting legacy thanks to his time playing hoops for Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), who themselves referred to the star as “a standout Knight and leader” in an Instagram post remembering him. He also played professionally throughout Europe. At the time of his death, he worked as a coordinator for WIN, a homeless service provider.
“Our hearts are heavier today hearing the tragic news,” Jason Young, Director of Athletics at FDU said. “Those who knew Kinu described him as a fierce competitor with a big heart who made many positive contributions to the FDU community. Today is another reminder to value each other and every day that we have.”
In addition to Rochford, a 28-year-old man was also struck by gunfire and injured in his shin while a 22-year-old woman suffered a bullet wound to the right forearm. The pair, in their 20s, was rushed to Harlem Hospital for treatment.
In their Instagram profile, the basketball tournament’s organizer, The Kingdom Games, lamented Rochford’s death and the violence that led up to it.
“It is with profound sorrow that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life during the opening game of the 2026 Kingdom Games season. Our hearts are with the individual’s family, loved ones, teammates, and everyone affected by this devastating tragedy. We ask our community to keep them in your prayers,” the statement read. “The Kingdom Games were founded to unite our community through faith, fellowship, and sportsmanship. We unequivocally condemn all forms of violence and remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and positive environment for our youth and community. Out of respect for the individual and all those impacted, updates regarding the remainder of the 2026 Kingdom Games season will be shared when appropriate.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani also weighed in on the shooting in a social media post, stating he was “heartbroken” and promising to provide services to those affected by the shooting.
According to law enforcement sources, Rochford got into a heated argument with the shooter at the game; however, the exact reason for the dispute is unclear. Police are asking for the public’s aid in bringing the gunman to justice by pleading for anyone with information about what took place that night to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
