NEW YORK, CMC – The annual West Indian American Day Carnival Parade on Monday was marred by a shooting incident almost at the end of the parade route, New York Police Department (NYPD) said.
The NYPD said at least five people were shot and wounded.
“This was not random; this was an intentional act,” said Chief of Patrol John Chell, adding that the suspected gunman apparently stood on a concrete divider on Eastern Parkway and fired multiple shots into the crowd of nearby spectators.
The NYPD identified the victims, listed as in stable condition, only as a 69-year-old woman who was shot in the back right shoulder; a 64-year-old man who was shot in the right arm; a 36-year-old man who was shot in the head; a 25-year-old man who was shot in the abdomen; and a 16-year-old male who was shot in the left arm.
The NYPD said the gunman, believed to be in his 20s, fled the scene on foot and is still at large.
United States House of Representatives Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, who represents Crown Heights, said he was “saddened and horrified” by the shooting.
“My prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. The parade is a beautiful display of culture and community that I have been honored to attend over the years, including this year. Every American should be able to celebrate their heritage without the threat of gun violence.
“No one in Brooklyn, New York or America is safe until we get weapons of war off our streets. America cannot be the best version of herself until we crush the scourge of gun violence once and for all,” he added.
However, many spectators and masqueraders were totally unaware of the shooting that temporarily disrupted a part of the gigantic celebration in picture-perfect weather as millions converged on Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway for the gigantic spectacle.
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the gigantic carnival, said over three million spectators, largely behind police barricades, participated in the 57th year of Caribbean culture, cuisine, mas and steel band music.
Trinidadian Simone Knutt said she was having a time of her life, playing “Gem” with Sherzelle Productions’s “Kaleidoscope: A Festival of Colors” while another Trinidadian, Shanel Clarence, played “Day Break” with Sherzelle Productions.
Sisters Jasmine and Elizabeth Baltazar and their friend, Shivonne Brown, said they were representing the Garifuna culture and were playing mas for the first time with Skymaxx Mas.
Vincentians Celia Homer and Arlene Pierre played with perennial winners Sesame Flyers. “We always play with them,” said Homer, as Pierre chimed in: “Wonderful!”
Trinidadian band leader Edwin Worrell said his Branches Productions collaborated with Deck Productions and Mango Tree Productions in producing “A Touch of Class.”
Worrell said the portrayal stemmed from a conversation she had with her Trinidadian-born aunt, Anna Worrell.
Haitian-born Kess Occena represented Carnival Association in Queens Village, Queens, while Barbadian Patrick Prescott, said he has been playing with D’Midas International for the past 14 years.
Jamaican Hillary Williams, portrayed “Queen of the Best” for Brooklyn’s Big Boys Productions.
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