At least seven people were shot Monday evening in Brooklyn during the West Indian Day Parade, despite New York’s status as one of the strictest states in the country for gun control. The violence occurred in three separate incidents along the parade route on Eastern Parkway.
The first shooting took place around 5:35 p.m., where a man and a woman were wounded. About an hour later, two more individuals were shot near the same area at approximately 6:30 p.m. Another shooting followed just 15 minutes later, leaving two more victims with gunshot wounds to the shoulder. A 14-year-old boy was also shot later in the evening.
The West Indian Day Parade, held annually on Labor Day, typically draws large crowds and a strong police presence. However, the violence this year raised fresh concerns about public safety in a city where high-profile events continue to be marred by gunfire. Law enforcement has not confirmed if the shootings were connected or related to gang activity.
New York consistently ranks among the top states for gun control. Everytown for Gun Safety, a group backed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, lists New York as having the fourth most restrictive gun laws in the nation. Those laws include a red flag law, universal background checks, a ban on so-called assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, storage mandates, and bans on bump stocks and “ghost guns.”
Despite this extensive legal framework, the parade shootings highlight ongoing challenges in curbing gun violence in major urban areas. Investigations into the suspects and motives are ongoing.
