Quacere “Chase” Hagans Death: 15-Year-Old Longwood High School Freshman Identified as Both Victim and Shooter in Eisenhower Park Gunfire; Two Adults Critical, Multiple Firearms Recovered

A Tragic Duality: Teen Killed at Eisenhower Park Also Fired Weapon

EISENHOWER PARK, NY – What began as a typical evening gathering at a sprawling suburban park has ended in a confounding tragedy that has left a community struggling to reconcile two seemingly contradictory truths: a 15-year-old boy is dead, and that same boy appears to have been an active participant in the gunfire that led to his own death.

Authorities have released a complex and heartbreaking set of details following a deadly shooting at Eisenhower Park, a popular recreational destination on Long Island known for its golf courses, athletic fields, and family-friendly atmosphere. The teen killed in the incident has been identified as Quacere “Chase” Hagans, a freshman at Longwood High School. In a significant development, law enforcement confirmed that Hagans was not merely a victim caught in crossfire but was, in fact, one of the individuals who fired a weapon during the violent exchange.

The Incident: A Gathering Turns Deadly

According to police reports, the shooting occurred on Wednesday night at approximately 8:30 p.m. Officers from the local precinct and county police departments began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired during what witnesses described as a large gathering at Eisenhower Park. The park, typically quiet after dusk, suddenly became the scene of chaos and panic.

Investigators say an argument broke out among a group of individuals who had assembled at the park. The nature of the dispute remains under investigation, but witnesses have told detectives that tensions escalated rapidly. Within moments, words turned to violence, and violence turned to gunfire.

Quacere “Chase” Hagans was struck during the exchange. Emergency medical services rushed him to a nearby hospital, where trauma surgeons fought to save his life. Despite their efforts, Hagans succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. He was pronounced dead, becoming the first known fatality of the incident.

But he was not the only one shot. Two additional victims, a 28-year-old and a 31-year-old, were also struck by gunfire. Officials have not released their identities pending family notification, but both remain hospitalized in critical condition. Their injuries are described as life-threatening, and doctors continue to monitor them closely.

The Shocking Revelation: Victim and Shooter

The most stunning turn in the investigation came when law enforcement announced that Quacere Hagans was not simply an innocent bystander. In a carefully worded statement, authorities confirmed that Hagans was in possession of a firearm at the time of the exchange and that evidence indicates he actively fired a weapon during the altercation.

“The 15-year-old deceased male has been identified as both a victim of gunfire and one of the individuals involved in discharging a firearm during the incident,” a police spokesperson said. The statement has sent shockwaves through the community, where Hagans is remembered as a freshman high school student, not a hardened criminal.

Detectives are now working to determine who fired the shot that ultimately struck Hagans. It remains unclear whether he was hit by a bullet from another participant in the dispute or if his own weapon contributed to his injuries in any way. Forensic analysis of ballistic evidence, including bullet trajectories and gunshot residue, will be critical in answering those questions.

Multiple Firearms Recovered; Several Taken into Custody

As part of the ongoing investigation, police have executed search warrants and conducted interviews that have led to multiple arrests and evidence seizures. According to authorities, several individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the Eisenhower Park shooting, though specific charges have not yet been announced for most of them.

Crucially, multiple firearms were recovered from the scene. Investigators are currently awaiting forensic analysis—including fingerprinting, DNA swabbing, and ballistics testing—before determining whether additional charges will be filed. The presence of multiple weapons suggests that the argument may have involved several armed participants, turning a verbal dispute into a deadly shootout.

In a separate but related matter, a 17-year-old has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon. However, authorities have emphasized that they have not yet confirmed a direct connection between this individual and the actual shooting that claimed Hagans’ life. It is possible that the 17-year-old was present at the gathering or in the vicinity but not directly involved in the exchange of gunfire. Detectives are working to establish whether the weapon he possessed was one of those recovered at the scene.

The Victims: Remembering Quacere “Chase” Hagans

Amid the shocking revelations about his role in the gunfire, family members of Quacere Hagans have stepped forward to remember him as more than a police report. To them, he was “Chase” —a bright, funny, energetic teenager who had just begun his freshman year at Longwood High School.

“He was a kid who made everybody laugh,” said an aunt who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. “He had so much energy. He loved his friends, he loved his family. This isn’t who he was. This isn’t what we wanted for him.”

Classmates at Longwood High School have expressed shock and disbelief. Many describe Chase as someone who could light up a room, who was known for his sense of humor and his loyalty to friends. Counselors have been made available at the school to help students process the loss of a peer, even as they grapple with the complex knowledge that Chase was carrying a weapon that night.

“It’s hard to hear that he was shooting too,” said one student who asked not to be named. “But he was still our friend. He was still only 15. Whatever happened, he didn’t deserve to die.”

The Other Victims: Two Adults in Critical Condition

While much of the public attention has focused on the young age of Quacere Hagans, police have not forgotten the two adult victims who remain hospitalized. The 28-year-old and 31-year-old are both fighting for their lives. Their families have gathered at the hospital, waiting for any sign of improvement.

Neither adult has been publicly identified, and it is not yet known whether they were participants in the initial argument or innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the park and nearby businesses, as well as cell phone videos that witnesses may have recorded, to determine their exact roles in the incident.

Investigation Status: Active and Evolving

The police department has stressed that the investigation remains active and that details may evolve as more information becomes available. Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses, many of whom fled the scene in panic and have only now begun to come forward.

A clear timeline of events is still being established. Key questions include:

· What sparked the initial argument?
· How many individuals fired weapons?
· Where did the firearms come from, and how did minors obtain them?
· Who fired the fatal shot that struck Quacere Hagans?

Forensic analysis of the recovered firearms will be crucial. Ballistics testing can often match bullets and casings to specific weapons, allowing investigators to determine which shooter fired which rounds. This could lead to additional charges, including potentially manslaughter or murder, if someone is found to have fired the shot that killed Hagans.

The 17-year-old already charged with criminal possession of a weapon is being held pending further investigation. If ballistics link his weapon to the shooting, additional charges could be filed. Similarly, other individuals taken into custody may face charges ranging from unlawful possession of a firearm to assault or even homicide.

Community Reaction: Grief, Confusion, and Calls for Action

The news that a 15-year-old was both victim and shooter has divided community reaction. Some express sympathy for the Hagans family, mourning the loss of a child no matter the circumstances. Others express anger that a teenager was carrying a gun in a public park, arguing that such behavior inevitably leads to tragedy.

Eisenhower Park is typically a place of recreation—home to a golf course, picnic areas, a swimming pool, and a theater. The idea that it became a shooting gallery on a Wednesday night has rattled local residents. Parents who once felt safe bringing their children to the park are now questioning that assumption.

Local elected officials have issued statements expressing condolences while also calling for a renewed focus on youth gun violence prevention. “We cannot normalize 15-year-olds carrying firearms,” one county legislator said. “This tragedy must be a wake-up call.”

The Broader Context: Teen Gun Violence on Long Island

The death of Quacere “Chase” Hagans is the latest in a series of incidents involving young people and firearms on Long Island. While overall crime rates have fluctuated, gun violence among teenagers has seen troubling increases in some suburban areas, driven in part by the proliferation of illegal firearms and social media-fueled disputes.

According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) , the number of stolen or illegally purchased handguns recovered from minors has risen in recent years. Many of these weapons are obtained through straw purchases, burglaries, or private sales that bypass background checks.

The fact that multiple firearms were recovered at Eisenhower Park suggests that at least several individuals came to the gathering armed. Whether they intended to use them or brought them for “protection” is a distinction that investigators will explore.

What Happens Next: Legal Proceedings and Forensic Analysis

In the coming days and weeks, the following developments are expected:

1. Forensic reports from ballistics and DNA analysis will be completed. These reports will help determine exactly how many shooters were involved and whether the 17-year-old already charged was among them.
2. Additional arrests or charges are likely. Police have stated that the investigation remains active, and as evidence is reviewed, more individuals may be taken into custody.
3. Funeral services for Quacere Hagans will be announced by his family. Given the circumstances, security may be heightened at any public memorial.
4. Community meetings are expected to be held, with police and local leaders addressing public concerns about park safety and youth gun access.

A Final Reflection

The story of Quacere “Chase” Hagans is one of tragic duality. He was a freshman at Longwood High School, a funny and bright teenager loved by his family. He was also, on one terrible Wednesday night at Eisenhower Park, a 15-year-old who possessed and fired a handgun. Both truths exist at once, and neither cancels the other.

His death leaves behind a grieving family, a shocked school community, two adults fighting for their lives in a hospital, and a 17-year-old facing weapons charges. As detectives continue their work, the community is left to ask difficult questions about how a child ends up with a gun—and how so many lives can be shattered in a single burst of gunfire.