Two young girls, aged 9 and 11, were tragically caught in a shooting incident while playing in a Brooklyn park on Monday evening. The girls were not the intended targets of the two gunmen, who remain at large, according to law enforcement officials. The incident occurred at Hilltop Playground in Brownsville, where one of the girls’ mothers was present.
The older girl was struck in the back, while the younger one was hit in the right leg. The suspects reportedly fired a minimum of six shots around 9 p.m., as shared by the police during a press conference held near the park on Dean Street.
Following the incident, both victims were privately transported to Brookdale Hospital. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that the girls are in stable condition. Assistant Chief Scott Henderson, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, expressed relief that the girls were conscious and alert. He praised the medical staff at Brookdale Hospital for their exceptional care.
The NYPD is currently investigating the incident, with initial findings suggesting that two shooters were involved. This conclusion is based on the recovery of two different types of shell casings from the scene. Both shooters were reportedly aiming in the same direction at an unidentified target, leading police to believe that the girls were innocent bystanders.
While the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, the NYPD is exploring the possibility of gang involvement. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the shooters were riding scooters at the time of the incident. As of late Monday night, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.