Independence Day celebrations in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s New York City descended into violence on Saturday evening.
A family had gathered to enjoy a festive barbecue together before watching some fireworks in Coney Island.
But, their night turned to horror when a masked man showed up and started shooting at them, apparently unprovoked.
Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, where eight victims — including four children — were shot and injured.
Here’s some footage of the police response:
Eight people, including four kids, were shot as they enjoyed a 4th of July night out to watch some fireworks in Brooklyn. https://t.co/JQVzrt5EY8 pic.twitter.com/lRmgnLkIqk
— New York Post (@nypost) July 5, 2026
🚨 UPDATE: 8 PEOPLE SH0T in deadly July 4 celebrations in Mamdani’s NYC
Total CHAOS erupted and NYPD was rushing to scramble resources across the city as violence broke out
NYPD needs MORE FUNDING, not less! The Ugandan communist should support this rather than want to RIP them…
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 5, 2026
The masked gunman fled the scene, and police are still hunting for him.
One of the victims, a 21-year-old woman, has been hospitalized in critical condition. All of the other victims suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
The New York Post reported:
It was not clear how many gunmen there were or why the shots were fired, but residents said the block is known for violence.
“It’s so sad they won’t enjoy themselves without them killing each other. This building is always partying. I came home to have fun and now this. This building always has some trouble,” said a resident of the area who identified herself as Mackenzie.
The victims include a 33-year-old male and a 21-year-old female shot in the chest; a 25-year-old female, a 14-year-old male, a 12-year-old male, and a 7-year-old male shot in the legs or thigh; a 37-year-old male shot in the shoulder; and a 6-year-old male shot in the stomach.
Seven of the victims are in stable condition, while the 21-year-old female is in critical condition.
ADVERTISEMENTMackenzie explained that the building is known for raucous activity.
In a separate shooting that also took place on the 4th of July, two NYPD officers were injured.
We covered that story here:
Meanwhile, New York City's Communist mayor is promising to "fight" the violence happening under his watch.
ABC News shared a statement from Mayor Mamdani:
“There is no place for this kind of violence in our city. We will not tolerate it. We will fight it with every single tool at our disposal," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at the news conference.
"As we mourn alongside those whose loved ones have been hurt, let us also recommit ourselves to the work of building a city where every celebration is safe and every holiday is joyful,” Mamdani added.
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Watch Mamdani address both Independent Day shootings here:
Mayor Mamdani addressed two July Fourth shootings, one that injured two NYPD officers and another in Coney Island that left eight people shot, including four children. "There is no place for this kind of violence in our city. We will not tolerate it, and we will fight it with… pic.twitter.com/ExBZ0kjZ7E
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 5, 2026
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