Authorities on the hunt for two individuals linked to a mass shooting at a hookah lounge in Crown Heights.
In a tragic turn of events, a mass shooting occurred early Sunday at the Taste of the City Lounge in Crown Heights, leaving three men dead and eleven others injured.
The shooting took place at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Carroll Street, a location that unfortunately has seen violence before, as another shooting occurred at the same intersection in November, according to police records.
The deceased individuals have been identified as Marvin St. Louis, Jamel Childs, and Amadou Diallo. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Jamel Childs was involved in the shooting, with reports suggesting he fired shots during the exchange. Contrarily, St. Louis, who has "no relevant criminal history," according to Tisch, was not directly implicated in the shooting.
Childs, known to have several prior arrests and listed in the NYPD's gang database as a member of Folk Nation, a violent gang, is currently one of the suspects at large. The name of the other still wanted suspect is not publicly disclosed by the NYPD.
The NYPD is actively working to identify and apprehend these two individuals, with Commissioner Tisch urging the public for assistance in finding the perpetrators. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has also echoed this call, expressing his concern over the incident and urging for the community's help.
The Taste of the City Lounge, in a statement on their Instagram page, expressed their condolences for those who were killed and injured in the shooting. They are cooperating with law enforcement on the ongoing investigation.
The eleven wounded individuals are reported to be in stable condition. Witnesses at the scene, such as neighbor James Jones, described the shooting as "like a warzone."
The NYPD believes that four people were involved in the shooting, describing it as a possible gang-related incident. However, they are still investigating the motives behind the violence.
It's important to note that this incident comes amidst a broader context of gun violence in New York City. According to NYPD data, there has been a 21% drop in shootings and a 24% drop in homicides in the city as of Aug. 10 compared to the same point in 2024.
For those interested in understanding the broader context of gun violence in the city, the article includes a map of gun violence in New York City over the past five years on its website.
As the investigation continues, the community and law enforcement are urged to work together to find those responsible for this tragic incident and to strive for a safer city.
