Teen shooter who killed 16-year-old ‘peacemaker’ rode CitiBike basket to kill and was identified by his Air Jordans: court documents

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From Georget Roberts And Tina Moore

The teenage gunman who fatally shot a 16-year-old “peacemaker” in Soho rode to the scene in a Citi Bike basket and was identified in part by his distinctive Air Jordans, according to court documents.

Officials said Henry Thomas was charged Saturday in Manhattan Criminal Court with second-degree murder in the May 7 killing of Makhi Brown, who was killed half a block from the charter school he attended.

The 19-year-old gunman was caught on camera wearing “distinctive black Air Jordans with red and yellow trim” and climbing into the Citi Bike basket before the shooting, according to the criminal complaint against him.

When the bike arrived at the Urban Plaza between Spring and Dominick Streets, about a block from Brown’s school, “the shooter exited the basket and fired a handgun three times,” the authorities’ complaint said.

Brown was shot once in the back of the head and twice in the leg.

Brown tried to be a “peacemaker” between two fighting groups, NYPD officials said.

Investigators who identified Thomas and went to his Upper East Side home found the sneakers he was wearing in the video, officials said.

Thomas was arrested there on Friday by the US Marshals Service and the NYPD.

In court, Thomas wore gray sweatpants and white high-top sneakers with black trim. He was tied behind his back.

At the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Gina Nerone said Thomas “executed a 16-year-old high school student by shooting him in the head.”

Defense attorney Adam Freedman objected to the use of the word “executed.”

Judge Marisol Martinez-Alonso, who allowed Nerone to proceed, told Thomas that if he refused to appear in court, the trial would take place in her absence. Do you understand that?”

“Yes,” Thomas answered loudly. He was taken to Rikers Island Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail.

His family and friends waved and blew him kisses as they left the courtroom.

One shouted: “We love you.”

If convicted, Thomas faces a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

Brown played on a basketball team with the NYPD 67th Precinct Clergy Council, a nonviolent group also known as “The GodSquad.”