An 18-year-old man was shot in the head Tuesday night in the latest act of gun violence plaguing Brooklyn’s “bullet town,” authorities said.
According to police sources, the 73rd Precinct, which is leading the city in homicides and shooting incidents, saw an 18-year-old man caught in the crosshairs of two gunmen near 412 Sutter Ave. in Brownsville at about 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 13.
Sources familiar with the investigation report that the victim told cops that he was standing at the location when two men approached. Seconds later, gunshots erupted — and he suddenly felt a ringing in his ear.
Police reported that the young man had suffered a graze wound to the right side of his head. EMS rushed to Brookdale Hospital, where he was treated for injuries that did not prove life-threatening.
The NYPD described the gunmen as being between the ages of 18 to 20. One was seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and multi-colored pajama pants, while the second wore a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
So far, police have not yet established a motive for the shooting. No arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation.
According to the most recent NYPD CompStat report, the 73rd Precinct has seen a 17.2% surge in shootings this year, with at least 34 shooting incidents occurring so far compared to 29 during the same time in 2023. Shooting victims have increased by nearly 40% with 43 people having been wounded by bullets. Murder victims are also up 116% with 13 people losing their lives compared to just 6 the year prior.
In an interview with amNewYork Metro earlier this year, Chief Crime Control Strategies Michael Lipetri says many of the shootings are being driven by gang violence and drug-related feuds.
In July, amNewYork Metro reported that the NYPD surged more cops into the area to help quell the violence, including community affairs officers aiming to build tighter bonds with the community.
“We’re going to have ups and downs in our relationship, we are going to agree to disagree and we’re going to be friends and if something happens, we got to make and patch up — but the one thing there is no divorce. It’s a community and it’s the police department and we’re staying together,” Deputy Commissioner Community Affairs Mark Stewart said in July.
