Police in New York City are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a shooting that left five people injured during the West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood on Monday.
Tragically, one of the victims, a 25-year-old who was shot in the abdomen, succumbed to his injuries, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to media on Tuesday. The identities of the victims have not been released, but NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell shared in a press conference that the victims include four males and one female.
“Two are in critical condition, while three others are expected to survive,” Chell stated.
The parade, one of the world’s largest celebrations of Caribbean culture, attracts over a million participants and spectators each year, according to event organizers.
The shooting occurred around 2:35 p.m. ET near 301 Eastern Parkway along the parade route. Chell described the incident as a targeted attack, not a random act of violence.
“This was a deliberate action by an individual against a group,” he explained. He reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat, and that the parade would continue as planned.
The other victims include a 69-year-old woman who was shot in the back right shoulder, a 64-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the right arm, a 36-year-old man shot in the head, and a 16-year-old male who was shot in the left arm.
The suspect is described as a Black male in his 20s, with a slim build, wearing a brown shirt with paint stains and a black bandana.
The NYPD is urging anyone with photos or videos of the parade to come forward, as this could be critical to the investigation.
“If you have any information about the individual who fired into the crowd during the West Indian Day Parade, please contact [NYPDTips] immediately,” the NYPD’s 77th precinct posted on “X” Monday afternoon. “Any video or photo could be crucial to our investigation.”
This festival, also known as J’Ouvert—a term derived from creole and French meaning “daybreak”—has experienced incidents of gun violence in previous years.
The NYPD noted that Labor Day weekend is one of the most challenging periods for the city’s police force, with multiple events occurring simultaneously, including this festival.
Read More: NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Killed By Drunk Driver
“Our officers are working tirelessly. We’ve had one of the safest months in a long time in New York City, and this week saw a significant reduction in shooting incidents,” police said. “However, today, one individual aimed to disrupt the festivities, but we won’t let that happen.”
