EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn — A mass shooting in Brooklyn over the weekend has left six teenagers injured, including the niece of a prominent anti-violence advocate. The incident occurred early Sunday, following a sweet sixteen party at a local banquet hall, as a group of youths awaited rides outside the venue.
Surveillance footage captured the moment two gunmen targeted the crowd near Atlantic Avenue and Warwick Street, unleashing a barrage of gunfire. Among the injured is a 15-year-old girl, who hails from a family active in anti-gun violence initiatives for over two decades. Her father, Dawud Mann, shared the emotional turmoil his daughter is experiencing in the wake of the attack. “It’s devastating. She’s asking, ‘Why me? Why did this happen?'” he said, noting that she was struck while waiting for an Uber.
The girl’s uncle, A.T. Mitchell, who was appointed New York City’s first gun violence czar in 2022, expressed deep concern about the incident, highlighting how it personally affects their family. “This is the exact issue I have dedicated my life to combatting,” he said, emphasizing the profound impact of gun violence as it struck close to home for his family.
The injured teen underwent surgery and is on the road to recovery at Brookdale Hospital. Just hours before the shooting, she had celebrated her acceptance onto a dance team, a moment now overshadowed by the chaos. The other victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are also receiving medical care.
As investigators continue to search for the two suspects, the NYPD has released details about the gunmen, one of whom was seen with a firearm at his waist in the surveillance footage. More than 21 shell casings were found at the scene, underscoring the violence of the attack.
Mann expressed his anguish as a father, highlighting the lengths he would go to ensure his daughter’s safety. “Every parent wants to protect their child. This is a nightmare,” he said.
The community, already familiar with the realities of gun violence, is grappling with the shock of an attack that has affected a family so deeply involved in advocating for peace. As the search for the assailants continues, local law enforcement urges anyone with information to reach out to Crime Stoppers.
The aftermath of this shooting serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles many urban communities face with gun violence, even among those actively working to halt it.