The death of a 16-year-old on Staten Island has drawn some comparisons to an infamous racial attack in the city three decades ago, but police say it does not appear to be a hate crime. Borough reporter Amanda Farinacci has the story.

Police say a restaurant was the scene of a pre-arranged fight between two rival Staten Island gangs —one black and one white.

The dispute quickly moved to the residential streets of Mariners Harbor when someone, according to witnesses, claimed he had a gun.

16-year-old Dayshen McKenzie and his friends ran and hid – but Dayshen, an asthmatic with a heart condition, collapsed and later died:

"I'm just looking to find out why my son," said Tisha Richardson, McKenzie's mother. "Why my son? I mean he had so much going for his self."

Former police officer Diane Fatigati heard the commotion outside her home. She revived Dayshen twice with CPR. EMS arrived and they too began compressions, but the teenager died shortly after.

Fatigati says she initially told police the clash appeared to be racial.

"There's a bunch of white kids chasing a bunch of black kids and that's what it looked like to me," Fatigati said.

The Daily News quoted her as saying she heard someone shout the N word.

That gave rise to this front page — and a comparison to an infamous racial killing in Howard Beach, Queens, 30 years ago.

Police brass called a news conference Friday, to clear the air.

They said the clash appeared to be a prearranged fight between two rival gangs that involved a dispute over a girl, and not a bias attack like the Howard Beach assault.

"This comparison is inaccurate and irresponsible actually," said NYPD Chief of Department Robert Boyce.

Police say says investigators have been viewing surveillance videos and have heard from several people involved. Boyce says they all say the same thing:

"During the initial interviews no one reported any racial or bias related comments"

Police say although they believe the crime is gang-related, hate crimes detectives will be assisting in the investigation.

In the meantime, Dayshen's family is trying to raise money for his funeral.