A terrifying incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday at a bustling Brooklyn hookah lounge, Taste of the City Lounge, located in Crown Heights. As per the video footage, patrons were seen fleeing in terror onto the sidewalk around 3:30 a.m. when a dispute inside the lounge escalated into a deadly shooting spree by up to four gunmen. The horrifying event resulted in three fatalities and nine injuries.
The surveillance video captured the chaos and panic that ensued. One man was seen stumbling out of the lounge and collapsing on the sidewalk. Another man came to his aid, helping him to safety amidst the fleeing crowd. Another individual was seen falling at the Franklin Avenue street corner, where he remained motionless throughout the two-minute video clip.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) later found 42 spent shells from .9mm and 25-caliber weapons at the scene. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided these details during a press briefing on Sunday. She also confirmed the death of a 19-year-old victim at the scene. Two other men, aged 27 and 35, succumbed to their injuries at nearby hospitals.
The NYPD is currently investigating the scene of the shooting. Mayor Eric Adams was also present at the scene, alongside the 71st Precinct Commanding Officer Ronald Perez. The NYPD Crime Scene Unit detectives were seen outside the Taste of the City Lounge, gathering evidence.
The perpetrators of the shooting are still at large. The NYPD has initiated a manhunt to apprehend the gunmen responsible for this tragic incident. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as the case progresses.