A mother shared that the gunman who opened fire during a family gathering in Coney Island on July 4 seemed to be “aiming for babies.” Authorities are looking into the possibility that this shooting was connected to gang activity.
The search continues for the suspect dressed in black who was responsible for the shooting that injured eight people, including four children. Families celebrating the holiday found their night turns tragic.
Tiffany Williams is speaking out, her 21-year-old daughter shot in the chest and now in a coma. She expressed disbelief at the actions of the shooters: “They just didn’t care.”
From her hospital bed, she noted, “They were after the baby.”
The youngest among the injured were a 6-year-old boy with an abdominal wound, a 7-year-old boy shot in the leg, along with two other teens aged 12 and 14. Thankfully, they are expected to recover.
This tragedy unfolded just after 10:30 p.m. when friends and family were enjoying a Fourth of July BBQ outside a building on West 30th Street.
A single shooter, wearing a ski mask, approached and let off at least 10 rounds before fleeing. Williams described the chaos: “One moment there was celebration, the next, people were on the ground.” She quickly realized her daughters and nephews had been shot.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned that the shooting might be related to a gang-related homicide that occurred nearby earlier that week. “Currently, there’s no sign of any disagreement at the barbecue before the gunfire began,” she clarified.
Authorities did recover a Tec-9 style weapon at the scene, along with several spent shell casings.
Dejan Williams, 22, recounted hearing what he thought were fireworks, only to realize they were gunshots. “I saw blood everywhere,” he said, expressing anger and confusion over the attack. The family, he believes, weren’t the target, but it’s unclear who was.
Other injured individuals included men aged 37 and 33, and a 25-year-old woman, all expected to survive their injuries.
The unsettling event rattled the community, with some neighbors initially mistaking gunfire for fireworks. Erica Borrelli recalled her son, just 10 years old, recognizing the difference immediately, noting his experience with video games.
Another resident vividly described the frantic scene as police rushed in. Issues at the site are longstanding, with one local stating that the area has seen disruptive behavior for quite some time.
Another neighbor further emphasized the reality of the situation: “I know the difference between gunshots and fireworks,” she said.
