In a devastating incident that has shaken the community, a shooting at a New York City lounge early Sunday morning resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left nine others wounded. The shooting occurred just before 3:30 a.m. local time at the Taste of the City lounge, located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Mayor Eric Adams responded to the tragedy during a press conference, stating, "We unfortunately will have to mobilize a mass shooting plan."
Emergency responders received numerous 911 calls reporting the shooting, prompting a swift police response. Officers arrived at the scene on Franklin Avenue to find nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, had sustained gunshot wounds. Tragically, three men lost their lives due to the violence. A 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others, aged 27 and 35, succumbed to their injuries after being transported to local hospitals. The remaining victims are currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
According to investigators, a dispute inside the crowded lounge escalated into gunfire, involving multiple shooters—reportedly up to four. Crime scene investigators have recovered 42 shell casings from various firearms, indicating the use of both 9 mm and .45 caliber weapons. Commissioner Tisch noted that the shooting appears to be gang-related, a concerning trend as up to 60% of shootings in New York City are attributed to gang activity.
During the investigation, detectives discovered a firearm near Bedford Avenue and Eastern Parkway, although it remains unclear whether this weapon is connected to the shooting incident. Mayor Adams urged anyone who was inside the club during the shooting or who may have relevant information to come forward. "If you were inside the club, if you heard individuals talking about shooting, if you witnessed someone fleeing the location, every piece of information would allow us to put the puzzle together to solve this crime," he stated.
The impact of such gun violence on the community cannot be understated. Mayor Adams expressed his sorrow, saying, "This gun violence of this magnitude, it really scars a community and a city... we will continue our aggressive pursuit to remove these illegal guns off our streets." Pastor Gilford Monrose also offered condolences, stating, "Our prayers and our condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and we are praying for a speedy recovery of those who were in the hospital."
It is worth noting that this is not the first incident of gun violence at the Taste of the City lounge, as there was another non-fatal shooting reported at the same location in November 2024. As of now, police have not made any arrests related to this latest shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing.
