Brooklyn detectives are looking for the suspect who shot a man dead inside a playground on Monday evening.
Police said Reginald Thawney, 50, of Howard Avenue was gunned down at a play area within the Plaza Residences apartment complex at 37 New Lots Ave. in Brownsville at about 10:22 p.m. on Jan. 9.
Officers from the 73rd Precinct, in responding to a 911 call about the shooting, found Thawney in the playground with a bullet wound to his chest.
According to police, Thawney was engaged in a dispute with an unidentified individual at the scene; the reason for the argument was not yet known.
Sources familiar with the case said that two officers near the location observed the dispute take place, during which time Thawney allegedly pulled out a screwdriver. That prompted the unidentified individual to pull out a handgun and pull the trigger.
The officers pursued the shooter as the individual fled on foot, but the suspect managed to get away, law enforcement sources said.
EMS rushed Thawney to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The screwdriver that Thawney allegedly brandished at the gunman was recovered at the scene, police noted. But the gun the suspect used to kill the victim was not recovered, authorities said.
So far, no arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, police reported.
Anyone with information regarding the homicide can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit a tip online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Read more: NY Mobsters Busted for Illegal Online Gambling Ring
