BROOKLYN, NY – A festive celebration of Caribbean culture in Brooklyn was marred by violence on Monday when a lone gunman opened fire into the crowd, injuring five people, according to law enforcement officials. The incident occurred around 2:35 p.m. on the 300 block of Eastern Parkway during the West Indian Day Parade, a vibrant event that draws nearly a million attendees each year.
The shooter’s actions were described as an “intentional act” by police, who noted that the attack was not random. The victims included four men and one woman, with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to the head, torso, arm, and wrist. Two of the victims were reported to be in critical condition. The location of the fifth victim’s injury was not immediately clear.
Jalissa Bailey, a parade attendee who was near the scene, expressed her shock and sadness over the incident. She noted that despite the parade’s history of violence, recent years had seen a decrease in such incidents, leading many to hope that the event had become safer. Bailey described the immediate aftermath of the shooting as a sudden shift from celebration to chaos, with people screaming and running in fear.
The parade, now in its 57th year, is a beloved tradition in the Crown Heights neighborhood, attracting a diverse crowd adorned in vibrant hues of green, red, and yellow. Despite the violence, the parade continued, scheduled to conclude around 6 p.m.
Later in the evening, around 7:45 p.m., a stabbing occurred a block away from the parade route. Police are currently investigating whether this incident is connected to the parade shooting. The gunman from the earlier incident remains at large, though police do not believe it to be an “active shooter” situation.
The West Indian Day Parade has been a source of pride for many in the community, including Catherine Paulino, 23, who served as the reigning beauty queen at the Miss Panamanian Parade 2023. She expressed her love for the event, noting its ability to bring together people from different cultures to celebrate as a single community.
In response to past violence at the event, a “strong police presence” was established at this year’s parade, including the use of 300 handheld metal detectors. Last year, two people were shot and another was slashed in the arm along the parade route.