2 Dead, Four Others Injured After Shooting Outside Funeral In East Flatbush
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Police are searching for multiple gunmen who opened fire outside a Brooklyn church Monday night, shooting six people, two of which are dead.
The deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Sharieff Clayton, of the Bronx, and 44-year-old Ronald Murphy, of Brooklyn.
As CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported, the gunfire erupted around 8:30 p.m. when police say a silver SUV drove up to the front of Emmanuel Church of God on Flatbush Avenue near E. 32nd Street as a wake took place inside.
Police say Clayton and another man, age 40, had a longstanding "beef," that went back to when they were teenagers.
When the two saw each other at the funeral, an argument ensued, police said.
According to police, the suspect then came back with two others in an SUV and fired into the crowd.
Police say someone from inside the church returned fire.
"There were some people there that knew each other and may have had some issues in the past. Something sparked off and the result was gun violence," city council member Jumaane Williams said.
2 Dead, Four Others Injured After Shooting Outside Funeral In East Flatbush
Crime scene investigators were on the scene overnight, combing for clues and collecting evidence.
Tuesday morning, elected officials and community leaders in East Flatbush urged a stop to the gun violence.
"We want to make sure we prevent any retaliatory shootings that may come from this," Williams said.
Police are searching for two possible getaway cars, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
The wake was for alleged former gang member, Jose Luis Robles, who died of natural causes, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.
Robles' friends tell WCBS 880 he left the gang life behind.
2 Dead, Four Others Injured After Shooting Outside Funeral In East Flatbush
In all, police say 15 rounds were fired, striking four men and two women. Clayton and Murphy later died at Kings County Hospital.
The four others who were injured are listed in stable condition; they are believed to have been bystanders.
Raul Marroqin, Robles' brother, said the 15 shots came one after another.
"Three guys come punch somebody and everything started running, shooting," he said.
"I grabbed the kids and run between the two cars that got shot," he said.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said multiple people were shooting in front of the location and toward the church
"I thought it was firecrackers…I know it's not because I hear a lot of screams. And when people scream, somebody's hurt," witness Popie Asar said.
Shootings are infrequent in the section of Flatbush where the firefight took place. Residents say they are eager for the gunmen to be caught.
2 Dead, Four Others Injured After Shooting Outside Funeral In East Flatbush
"We want to make sure who did the shootings are held responsible," Williams said.
"Somebody died and now two more people are dead, attending a funeral this is crazy," community organizer Tony Herbert said.
"A shooting to take place at a funeral, that is a wake up call for this entire city," Eric Adams said.
Anti-gun advocate Jeffrey Davis said things are getting out of control.
"We're here to tell our young people stop it. We love you. Stop shooting each other, Stop acting out, get yourself together. You have a life and a future. Stop it, people are dying and we can't tolerate this," he said.
The incident is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. You can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or texting tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
