At Least Five Shot in Post-Parade Violence Near Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY – At least five individuals were shot and two others were slashed following the conclusion of the West Indian American Day Parade on Monday evening, September 1, 2025, in the vicinity of Eastern Parkway, an area that culminates near Prospect Park. The incidents, which occurred between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., prompted a significant police response. A tweet from "Viral News NYC" initially reported "shots fired near Prospect Park, Brooklyn," noting that "the suspect’s description is currently unclear" and "police are actively searching for the shooter."

Among those wounded by gunfire was a 14-year-old, with most victims reported to be in stable condition. The two slashing victims also sustained injuries, with one in stable condition and the other refusing medical attention at the scene. As of Tuesday morning, authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the post-parade violence.

The West Indian American Day Parade, celebrating its 58th anniversary with the theme "Vive Le Carnivale," drew over a million spectators to Eastern Parkway. The vibrant cultural event, a Labor Day tradition, features elaborate costumes, music, and food, with its two-mile route concluding near Grand Army Plaza, adjacent to Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum.

Despite a heightened police presence, which Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described as the "largest police deployment of the year," the violence still erupted. Commissioner Tisch had previously stated that there were "currently no specific or credible threats" against the parade, while Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the commitment to "remain vigilant" to prevent violence.

This year's incidents follow a pattern of violence that has marred previous parades. Last year's event saw one person killed and four others injured in a shooting along the parade route, which police later identified as gang-related. The NYPD continues its investigation into the latest string of attacks, urging anyone with information to come forward as the search for the suspects remains ongoing.