The NYPD said Tuesday that the July 27 shooting at the Old Timers Day block party in Brownsville that killed one person and wounded 11 others was sparked by a beef between two gangs.
NYPD Detective Bureau Assistant Chief William Aubry said the department’s investigation has determined that the violence erupted after an argument at the annual party.
"These groups appeared in front of one another, and it was as foolish as a stare or a look and then there was a confrontation and then two groups fired at each other," Aubry said.
The police recovered two handguns used in the shooting. One weapon is linked to another shooting earlier in July while the other has been identified as a "community gun," which is shared among gang members, according to Aubry.
No suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon, the police said. Aubry said they are still questioning persons of interest and analyzing the weapons for more clues.
He urged anyone with information to contact the CrimeStoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). A $10,000 reward has been offered by the police for any information that leads to an arrest.
Later in the evening, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his office will provide $9 million in funding for several community-based projects and organizations that aim to curb violence in the neighborhood. Among the recipients is the Brownsville Neighborhood YouthStat program, which will receive $590,000 to train young New Yorkers in community engagement and teach peacemaking skills. Another $140,000 in funding will be used for new NYPD cameras and public lighting, according to the mayor.
“These programs will build on our commitment to end the epidemic of gun violence and lend much-needed support to the local leaders and activists who work to bring positive, enduring change to the Brownsville community each and every day,” he said in a statement.
