Father of Slain Teen Hero Blasts Mayor Zohran Mamdani Over Silence [WATCH]

The father of a 16-year-old football player shot and killed outside a Bronx McDonald’s says Mayor Zohran Mamdani has failed to keep New Yorkers safe — and has not contacted the grieving family, as reported by The New York Post.

Bryan Corley, whose son Christopher Redding was a freshman football standout at John F. Kennedy High School, said Monday that his family remains fearful because only one of up to four suspects in the shooting has been arrested.

The father of slain NYC football teen Christopher Redding says @NYCMayor @ZohranKMamdani has failed New Yorkers, claiming he never even reached out after the tragedy. The sad fact is Mamdani doesn’t care about Bryan Corley or his son. A “Defund the Police” ideological idiot…

— Mark Bowron (@MarkBowron420) February 17, 2026

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“Right now, we fear for our safety,” Corley said. “It’s just too much. We can’t even grieve in peace.”

Christopher Redding was shot shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday outside the McDonald’s at Broadway and West 238th Street in Kingsbridge.

According to police and law-enforcement sources, Redding was with a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl when a group of armed suspects approached them.

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Sources described the suspects as possible gang members. The group allegedly asked Redding and his friends whether they were affiliated with Eight Block, a subset of the Bloods.

Law-enforcement sources said Redding and his friends were not affiliated with any gangs and told the suspects so.

A dispute followed, and gunfire erupted. Redding was struck in the back and later died from his injuries. His two companions were each shot in the right leg, police and sources said.

On Saturday, police arrested one suspect, a 17-year-old who has not been publicly identified. The NYPD announced over the weekend that the teen was arraigned on charges including murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses.

Law-enforcement sources told The Post that the 17-year-old is not believed to have fired the fatal shots. The accused shooter and other suspects remain at large.

“They’re still out there, and nothing is really being done,” Corley said of the remaining suspects.

Christopher Redding, this young man, was a hero, protecting another student. @ZohranKMamdani has created an even more dangerous environment. Christopher’s father has denounced Mamdani. https://t.co/EoK0ClWukE

— Jolie (@JolieTalks) February 17, 2026

Corley also directed criticism at Mayor Mamdani, accusing him of failing to support the family or address their concerns.

“Everything is a lie. Mayor Mamdani saying that the police is doing a good job. They’re not doing a good job. It’s disgusting,” Corley said.

“The things my family has to endure right now and go through. Everybody is just using my son for a meal ticket, a move-up for their goodness.

“Even the mayor,” he continued. “How can you make a statement when you haven’t even came and speak to the victims? How can you hold a conference and you haven’t even spoken to us?”

When asked whether the mayor or his team had contacted the family, Corley responded, “Hell, no.”

Mamdani was questioned by reporters the day after the shooting about a series of recent shootings in the Bronx. He described the crimes as “heartbreaking and horrific.

“I am thankful for the work of the NYPD not only in responding to them but also in the actions they are taking to ensure that we work to prevent them in the future,” Mamdani said.

Corley also criticized New York’s Raise the Age law, which increased the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 18.

Under the law, the 17-year-old defendant is classified as an adolescent offender, and his identity is protected from public release.

However, because the charges involve violent crimes, suspects under 18 may still face the same potential sentences as adults.

Officials at City Hall and the NYPD did not respond to requests for comment regarding Corley’s remarks.

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