Eight Injured, Including Four Children, After Gunman Opens Fire at Brooklyn July 4 Barbecue

A Fourth of July family celebration in Brooklyn ended in tragedy after a masked gunman opened fire on a backyard barbecue in the Coney Island neighborhood, wounding eight people; including four children in one of the most shocking incidents of holiday violence in the United States this year. Authorities say the attack occurred shortly after the Independence Day fireworks display and are continuing a large-scale investigation to identify the shooter and determine a motive.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the shooting happened at approximately 10:35 p.m. local time in the courtyard of the Seapark Apartments near West 30th Street and Surf Avenue, only a short distance from the famous Coney Island boardwalk where thousands had gathered to celebrate the holiday. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said an unidentified man dressed in black and wearing a black ski mask approached the fence surrounding the family barbecue, fired multiple rounds into the crowd, and fled the scene on foot. Investigators said there was no indication of an argument or altercation before the attack.

Among those injured were four boys aged 6, 7, 12, and 14. The youngest child suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, while the others sustained injuries to their legs and thighs. Four adults; a 21-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman, and two men aged 33 and 37, were also struck by gunfire. The 21-year-old woman remains in critical condition after being shot in the chest, while the other seven victims were reported to be in stable condition after being transported to nearby hospitals.

Emergency responders described chaotic scenes as police officers carried wounded children to ambulances. Witnesses reported hearing a rapid burst of gunfire before families ran for cover. A firearm equipped with an extended magazine was recovered near the scene, along with multiple shell casings. Authorities have not announced any arrests, and investigators are still working to determine whether more than one person was involved.

Police are also examining whether the attack may be connected to a gang-related homicide that occurred on the same block earlier in the week. Commissioner Tisch said detectives are exploring every possible lead but emphasized that there is currently no indication of an ongoing threat to the wider public.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the violence during a Sunday press briefing, describing the shooting as unacceptable and pledging that the city would use every available resource to bring those responsible to justice. He also expressed support for the victims and their families, saying Independence Day celebrations should never end in such tragedy.

The Brooklyn shooting was one of several violent incidents reported across the United States during the July 4 holiday weekend, renewing debate over gun violence and public safety during large public gatherings. The NYPD has urged anyone with information or video footage from the area to contact investigators as the search for the suspect continues.