The NYPD has shared new information in the ongoing investigation into the shooting of New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd, shedding light on a possible motive and an unexpected clue left behind at the scene.
According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the incident unfolded outside Midtown restaurant Sei Less, where Boyd, 29, had been out with teammates Jamien Sherwood and Irvin Charles, along with a friend visiting from Texas.
Per The New York Post, a confrontation began when a group of men approached Boyd’s group and mocked their outfits, questioning why they were “dressed so fancy.”
Kenny explained that the comments escalated into a brief argument. Boyd’s group stepped inside the restaurant but stayed only a few minutes after sensing, in Kenny’s words, “the vibe was off.”
When they exited, the same group confronted them again, challenging them once more about their clothing. Moments later, a gunman fired, striking Boyd and leaving a bullet lodged in his lung.
Kenny confirmed that detectives released surveillance footage of the suspected shooter roughly 24 hours after the incident. The footage prompted a helpful tip through CrimeStoppers, leading to what Kenny described as a promising lead.
“We looked at their social media, and we were able to get a law enforcement ID of that potential shooter from an officer who had a previous interaction with him,” Kenny said.
However, he emphasized that investigators have not yet met the probable cause threshold, so the individual has not been publicly named.
Another detail investigators are analyzing is a high-value item recovered at the scene: a $185,000 watch. According to Kenny, none of the Jets players involved have claimed ownership.
While the watch may be relevant to the timeline, he confirmed that no robbery attempt was reported by anyone at the scene. “At no point did anybody announce a robbery or try to steal anything from the Jet players,” he noted.
Boyd remains hospitalized but shared an encouraging update on Instagram, writing that he has begun breathing on his own and thanking supporters for their messages.