New York City’s remarkable five-day streak without a reported shooting came to an abrupt end on Thursday night, just minutes after the NYPD celebrated the milestone. The streak was the longest in the city’s recorded history, dating back to the inception of the CompStat crime-tracking system 30 years ago.
First shooting: dispute leads to gunfire in Brooklyn
The first shooting occurred around 10:15 p.m. in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. A 34-year-old man, involved in a minor car accident, became embroiled in an argument with a passerby claiming to know the car’s owner. The confrontation escalated when the passerby shot the driver twice in the legs before fleeing on foot. The victim was taken to Brookdale University Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. The suspect, described as a man in his 60s wearing gray sweatpants, remains at large.
Second incident: teen shot outside laundromat in the Bronx
Just hours later, at around 1 a.m. Friday, a 17-year-old was shot in the leg outside a laundromat in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx. The teen reportedly encountered two men, one of whom opened fire before both suspects fled the scene. The shooters, described as wearing black clothing and blue masks, have yet to be apprehended. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Historic streak cut short
The NYPD had earlier announced the historic streak of zero shootings in a celebratory statement. The streak began Saturday night and lasted until Thursday night, marking the longest period without gun violence in the city’s modern history. Despite this setback, officials remain encouraged by a significant year-to-date decline in shooting incidents.
NYPD’s efforts to curb gun violence
The city has reported a 25.6% drop in shooting incidents compared to the same period last year. As of Sunday, there were 29 recorded shooting incidents this year, down from 39 in the previous year. Additionally, the NYPD has made strides in gun seizures, confiscating more than 20,000 illegal firearms since the mayor took office in 2022. This includes over 1,400 ghost guns, marking a significant increase compared to the prior three-year period.
A mixed milestone for public safety
While the streak-ending incidents underscore the persistent challenges of urban gun violence, they also highlight the progress made by the NYPD in reducing overall shooting incidents. The department’s commitment to removing illegal firearms from the streets and fostering safer communities remains unwavering.
