BROOKLYN, NY โ A Fourth of July family gathering in Brooklyn turned tragic after a masked gunman opened fire on a backyard barbecue in Coney Island, wounding eight people, including four children. It is one of the most serious incidents of holiday violence in the U.S. this year.
Authorities say the attack happened shortly after the Independence Day fireworks and police are conducting a large-scale investigation to identify the shooter and establish a motive.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the shooting occurred at about 10:35 p.m. on Saturday in the courtyard of the Seapark Apartments near West 30th Street and Surf Avenue, just blocks from the Coney Island boardwalk where thousands had gathered for celebrations.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said an unidentified man dressed in black and wearing a ski mask approached the fence around the barbecue, fired multiple shots into the crowd, and fled on foot. Investigators said there was no sign of a prior argument or altercation.
Among the injured were four boys, ages 6, 7, 12, and 14. The 6-year-old was shot in the abdomen, while the others sustained injuries to their legs and thighs. Four adults were also hit: a 21-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman, and two men aged 33 and 37.
The 21-year-old woman is listed in critical condition after being shot in the chest. The other seven victims are in stable condition at nearby hospitals.
Emergency responders described chaotic scenes as officers helped carry wounded children to ambulances. Witnesses said they heard a rapid burst of gunfire before families ran for cover. A firearm with an extended magazine and several shell casings were recovered near the scene. No arrests have been announced, and police are still working to determine if more than one person was involved.
Commissioner Tisch said detectives are also examining whether the attack could be linked to a gang-related homicide on the same block earlier in the week. She added that there is currently no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the violence during a Sunday press briefing. โThis is unacceptable,โ he said, pledging that the city would use every resource to bring those responsible to justice. He also expressed support for the victims and their families, noting that Independence Day celebrations should never end in tragedy.
The Brooklyn shooting was among several violent incidents reported nationwide over the July 4 weekend, renewing public debate about gun violence and safety at large gatherings.
The NYPD is urging anyone with information or video footage from the area to contact investigators as the search for the suspect continues.
