Five individuals were wounded in a shooting incident during New York City’s West Indian American Day Parade, according to authorities. This unfortunate incident adds to the growing list of violent episodes that have marred one of the biggest annual festivities showcasing Caribbean culture worldwide.
According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, a gunman deliberately aimed at a particular group of people and started shooting along the parade route in Brooklyn at approximately 2:35 p.m.
Thousands of revelers joyfully danced and marched down Eastern Parkway, the main thoroughfare through the borough, as the parade kicked off hours earlier. The festive celebration was anticipated to carry on well into the night.
According to Chell, two individuals sustained critical injuries, while the remaining three victims are expected to recover from their wounds. The assailant managed to escape the scene.
Chell emphasized that the incident was not a random occurrence, but rather an intentional act targeting a group of individuals. He assured that there was no active shooter or any similar threat on Eastern Parkway at the moment. He further confirmed that the parade would continue as planned until later in the evening.
A videographer from the Associated Press, who happened to be in the vicinity when the shots were fired, witnessed the immediate medical attention given to two individuals who seemed to have sustained injuries to their face and arm.
The police have cordoned off an area next to the parade route and have placed crime scene markers there. As officers bag items, the parade continues to flow past.
Chell urged the bystanders to share any video footage they might have captured of the shooting with the police.
Chell insisted on acquiring the video, fully aware that resolving the issue at hand would demand significant effort and dedication.
The violence at the parade shook some of the attendees.
Jalissa Bailey expressed her deep sorrow and disbelief over the tragic incident. She was overwhelmed with emotions, stating, “I’m crying over this, it’s so terrible. How can someone have the heart to fire a gun around so many people – babies, children, the elderly.” Her words reflect the shock and anguish felt by many in the face of such a senseless act of violence.
Bailey expressed his knowledge of the parade’s violent history, but also mentioned that in recent years, the event had been peaceful. He had hoped that the presence of adequate security measures would ensure that the violence was a thing of the past.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, successfully completed the parade route while participating in the march.
“I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the tragic shooting incident that occurred during our participation in the West Indian Day Festival and Parade in Brooklyn,” expressed Schumer through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He further extended his gratitude to the first responders who promptly arrived at the scene. Additionally, he offered his prayers for all those impacted by the incident. Schumer emphasized the urgent need for continued efforts to put an end to gun violence in America.”
The Labor Day parade, a long-standing tradition now in its 57th year, transforms Eastern Parkway into a vibrant spectacle of costumes adorned with feathers and flags of every color. As the participants march down the street, they are accompanied by lively soca and reggae music blaring from the floats that line the route.
The parade consistently draws massive crowds, with people lining the nearly 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) route that stretches from Crown Heights to the Brooklyn Museum. It is also a favored gathering spot for local politicians, many of whom share West Indian heritage or represent constituents from the city’s vibrant Caribbean community.
Over the years, the parade and its associated celebrations have unfortunately been marred by acts of violence, despite being a joyous occasion.
In 2016, there was a tragic incident near the parade route that resulted in the loss of two lives and multiple injuries. The year prior to that, Carey Gabay, an aide to then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was shot in the head during the pre-parade festivities and sadly passed away nine days later.
The organizers of the West Indian American Day Parade trace its origins back to the Carnival celebrations initiated by a Trinidadian immigrant in Manhattan over a century ago. Originally held during the pre-Lent period, the festivities were later shifted to a warmer time of year in the 1940s.
In the 1960s, Brooklyn became the host of the parade, attracting hundreds of thousands of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants who have made it their home.
The city’s Labor Day parade has become the highlight of a series of carnival events, including a steel pan band competition and J’Ouvert, a vibrant street celebration honoring the emancipation from slavery.
