A traditional family celebration for Independence Day in the United States turned into a nightmare in New York’s Coney Island. At least eight people were wounded by a gunman late Saturday, just minutes after a spectacular fireworks show had concluded in the area.
According to The Guardian, the bloody attack took place at around 10:35 p.m. on West 30th Street in Brooklyn, inside the yard of a home where a family barbecue was underway.
July 4th family BBQ turns into a bloodbath in New York: Victims include children aged 6 to 14
The gunman opened fire indiscriminately on both adults and children who were celebrating at the scene. Among the injured are a 33-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, both shot in the chest, as well as a 25-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man who was struck in the shoulder. Two six-year-old boys were hit in the stomach, a seven-year-old boy was shot in the leg or thigh, and two other boys, aged 12 and 14, sustained wounds to other parts of their bodies.
All of the victims, who were gathered in a residential yard for a family barbecue, were transported to local hospitals. Seven are reported to be in stable condition, while the 21-year-old woman is said to be in critical condition.
Police reported recovering a handgun along with 10 shell casings at the scene, though no arrests had been made.
Authorities said a man dressed entirely in black and wearing a black ski mask approached the fence, fired multiple shots into the yard, and then fled on foot. There are no indications that any dispute took place at the barbecue prior to the shooting.
A gang-related murder had recently occurred in the neighborhood, though it remains unclear at this time whether the two incidents are connected.
