NYC Shootings: 2 Teens Killed, Another Injured While Playing Basketball In Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – An 18-year-old has succumbed to his injuries after being shot in an incident that left another 16-year-old dead.
They were shot while playing basketball Sunday in Brooklyn.
Another teen was also wounded.
The NYPD responded around 6:40 p.m. to George Walker Jr. Park in Cypress Hills. Officers found the 16-year-old victim shot in the head.
"He played basketball. Now he ain't play no basketball," a tearful loved one told CBS2's John Dias.
Yesterday, at approximately 6:40 p.m., an unknown male opened fire while hanging out of the sunroof of a late model Honda CRV at George Walker Jr. Park. The perpetrator struck three people, killing two innocent teenagers playing basketball. pic.twitter.com/ewcgr42BdG
— Chief Kenneth Corey (@NYPDChiefOfDept) July 27, 2020
"He just lost his life by sitting in the park and playing basketball and having fun. He didn't even get to make it home to his mother," said 15-year-old Destiney Salaam.
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Sources told CBS2 a dark colored SUV pulled up to the park, and a man fired from the sunroof. The driver then sped off with the shooter.
The police identified those killed as Antonio Villa, 18, and Kleimer Mendez, 16. A 17-year-old was also taken to the hospital in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his leg.
"Strong, determined young men. They had goals, they wanted to become something better than the basic statistic," the loved one said. "They were working on it."
Friends built a memorial in front of the park to honor the victim, who they said wanted to be a musician. Police have not yet released his identity.
"Whether it's gang affiliated, nobody actually really knows," said Salaam.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the deadly shooting during Monday's press briefing, saying the uptick in violence is tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
"A striking reality that there is a huge backlog when it comes to cases involving violent crime," he said. "Only 50% of firearms charges have even gotten to the point of indictment."
The NYPD reported at least six deadly shootings on Sunday alone.
The most recent Compstat data shows the number of shooting victims is up 77.5% - 481 last year, compared to 854 so far this year.