A tragic shooting at a house party in Hempstead, Long Island, claimed the life of 19-year-old Amira McCleod on November 22, 2025, around 10:50 p.m. near Willow Avenue and Kennedy Avenue.
Nassau County Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert and 911 calls, finding three victims suffering from gunshot wounds amid overflowing trash bins from the gathering. Amira was pronounced dead at the scene, while two 20-year-old men were hospitalized and later released.
The gunfire erupted during an off-campus party attended by college students, with investigators treating it as a targeted incident amid the chaos. No suspects have been arrested, and police are reviewing surveillance from nearby homes and canvassing witnesses for leads. The men’s identities remain private, but both are Nassau Community College students recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.
Amira McCleod, a Queens native and guard on the Monroe University Bronx Express women’s basketball team, was majoring in business administration. She aspired to own a clothing and sneaker store, blending her love for fashion with entrepreneurial drive. Her freshman season showcased emerging talent on the court.
She shared a vibrant family life with her parents and siblings in Queens, where weekends included home-cooked meals and sibling basketball scrimmages. She maintained close ties with teammates through team dinners and roommate hangouts, forming a chosen family. These bonds reflected her outgoing, supportive nature.
Amira embraced an energetic routine with early gym sessions for basketball conditioning and evening study groups. She enjoyed a casual lifestyle of fast food runs and R&B playlists, staying connected via TikTok videos. Hobbies like sketching sneaker designs captured her creative spirit.
Hempstead and Monroe University honor Amira with campus vigils and flowers at the Willow Avenue site, while her family plans a private service. Nassau Police urge tips to 516-573-8800 amid the probe. The community rallies for youth safety, remembering a promising athlete whose light shone brightly.