Man Killed, 11-Year-Old And 2 Others Hurt In Shooting At Bronx Barbecue
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man was killed and a young boy was injured after shots were fired into a crowd partying in a Bronx park late Saturday night. Police are still searching for the suspects.
It was chaotic scene in the Mount Eden section of the borough as first responders rushed a man to an ambulance, trying to push through dozens of frantic people in Claremont Park, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported.
Authorities estimate more than 200 people were celebrating Central American Independence Day when multiple bullets were fired near Teller Avenue at around 11 p.m.
"I heard gunshots and then I tried to go home. Everybody was running. I heard they shoot somebody," witness Diana Martinez said.
Police say four people were shot. A 22-year-old man was hit in the chest and was pronounced dead at the hospital. A 24-year-old woman was struck twice in the torso, an 11-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder, and another 22-year-old man went to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.
It's unclear whether they were targeted.
Police are searching for one gunman and are looking to question three people who fled in a car.
"I'm stunned. My heart goes out to the families that were impacted by this," community leader Eric Darrisaw said.
Officials say when partygoers heard the shots they took off so fast, they left all of their trash behind.
"This is a mess. It's going to take at least two days to pick this up," Mount Eden resident Enrique Padilia said.
The park is supposed to close at 10 p.m. One resident said the NYPD needs to enforce the rules.
"If police would do a better restriction, so not letting people come in with alcohol ... motorcycles, loud music until 2, 3 in the morning," resident Maria Cruz said.
Gun violence is a major issue in the city's race for mayor, and Saturday night's shooting brought Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to the scene on Sunday morning. He called on the city to increase NYPD funding.
"We need more cops. There's only 34,000 cops. If you don't get more cops, you're not going to be able to fully patrol, especially high-crime areas," Sliwa said.
Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams responded with his plan.
"Institute a plainclothes anti-gun unit, zero in on gangs and guns in the city, but also precision policing. We know who the shooters are. We know who the gangs are," Adams said.
It's still unclear what the motive in the shooting was, or whether gangs were involved.
So far, no arrests have been made.
CBS2's Christina Fan contributed to this report.
