In Wake Of Block Party Mass Shooting, Brooklyn Community Takes To Streets To Denounce Gun Violence
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Brownsville residents and community leaders are calling for an end to gun violence after a shooting left one person dead and 11 others injured over the weekend.
Monday was day one for the Brownsville Rapid Response Coalition. They marched throughout the neighborhood to raise awareness and call for peace, CBS2's Valerie Castro reports.
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The coalition was formed in a matter of days following Saturday's shooting at an annual community block party. Jason Pagan, 38, was struck by gunfire during the incident and died of his injuries.
Pagan's uncle spoke at the march.
"I'm here because my nephew lost his life because someone had a gun and was feeling themselves, you know what I'm saying? And I'm here to speak for my sister because she's distraught. This is the second child she lost to gun violence in the same manner," he said.
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The violence has left the neighborhood shaken, and community leaders say the city needs to step in. They're asking for more funding for outreach groups, like those who now make up the coalition.
"We need it right away," Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said.
He says the city should double what it contributes.
"We have to stop thinking of public safety out of one person. That $74 million would allow all of our hot spots to be covered. It would allow some of the job training, some of the recoupments, pulling people out of gangs," Adams said.
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Adams says the lack of support for on-the-ground organizations means less of a presence in areas that need it most.
"We just don't understand how important [it is] to be preventive and not only reactionary," Adams said.
As for the shooting, police are looking for at least two gunmen but haven't identified any suspects. At the march, the community called for those responsible to turn themselves in.
