A 15-year-old boy shot to death at a party in Schenectady over the weekend is being fondly remembered by those who knew him.

Dubar Knowles was also known by his middle name Tyreek.

Knowles was shot Saturday night, along with a 13-year-old girl who is now recovering.

Michael Davis coached him in basketball and football.

“Dubar, he was a pretty outgoing kid once you got him to open up,” said Davis.  “He was really shy to start off.  He’s been through a lot in his life, his home life and stuff like that. He used sports as an outlet.”

Saturday night, police were called for shots fired on Congress Street and found a large young crowd scattering.

They found 15-year-old Dubar Knowles in the backyard of 1122 Congress Street with a fatal gunshot wound to his torso. 

A few blocks away, police found a 13-year-old girl who was injured in the neck.

People who claimed to have been invited to the party say it was a Sweet 16 celebration with a flyer that promised tight security, along with a $5 entry fee.

“It’s just a shock really because I have kids his age and I have a son who also wanted to attend the party and didn’t go, but it just hits home being a coach and having these bonds with these kids that you keep for a life. Life long bonds and relationships that– it’s hard,” said Coach Davis. 

“I met Tyreek in 2017.  He was a football player of mine,” said Coach Karl LaFountain.  “A real shy kid at first. He was fighting through some issues at home. Once you got to know him, he had a beautiful smile. And it just breaks my heart to know that he was a victim of street violence, knowing how big of a heart this kid had and how much potential he had, too. He could have been something very special. He really had that in him. He would go through a brick wall for me.”

Dubar’s family is unfortunately no stranger to tragedy. His older sister Medina Knowles was shot to death in 2016. She was 17.

In Saturday’s homicide, among other things, police are trying to figure out if the boy was the intended target. 
 
“We’re  just asking for the public’s assistance,” said Schenectady Police Lieutenant Ryan Macherone.  “This is one where we’re really going to need the public’s help. Again, we had lots of individuals that were in the area, but there were quite a few people that were fleeing the area as well when we got there.”

Police are asking anyone with security or ring camera video to show it to them. 

The Schenectady school superintendent says counselors and social workers will be available at school Tuesday. 

“He had such a genuine smile,” said Coach LaFountain.  “He wanted more in life. It’s just sad that he didn’t have that opportunity because again, he was a great kid and I just cannot get it out of my head how much of a great kid he was.”