New York City was rocked by two separate shootings within hours of each other over the Fourth of July weekend, leaving an NYPD detective wounded and eight people—including four young children—shot in Brooklyn.

The first incident unfolded around 10:35 p.m. Friday in Coney Island, where a family had gathered for a Fourth of July barbecue and to watch fireworks near the boardwalk.

Police said a gunman dressed in black and wearing a ski mask walked up to the courtyard of the Seapark Apartments on Surf Avenue and opened fire before fleeing on foot.

Eight people were struck, including four children. The victims included a 21-year-old woman who was critically wounded after being shot in the chest. The other victims—a 47-year-old man, a 33-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, and boys ages 14, 12, 7, and 6—were hospitalized, with the children suffering gunshot wounds to their legs or abdomen.

Police said there was no indication an argument preceded the shooting, and investigators are examining whether it is connected to a gang-related homicide on the same block earlier in the week. No arrests have been made.

Just hours later, at approximately 4:45 a.m. Sunday, an NYPD detective was shot in the upper back during a gunfight with an armed 18-year-old in Crown Heights.

According to police, the suspect approached an unmarked NYPD vehicle carrying two detectives while armed with a semi-automatic handgun. As the officers exited the vehicle to confront him, the suspect allegedly opened fire, striking Detective Robert L. Karroll in the back.

The veteran detective, who was wearing a ballistic vest, suffered minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. He was just 10 days away from retirement.

“Today that vest saved his life,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

A second detective sustained bruises during the confrontation.

The suspect fled but was captured after a foot chase and was subdued with a Taser after allegedly resisting arrest. Police recovered a 9mm handgun at the scene.

The two shootings capped another violent holiday weekend in New York City, underscoring continuing concerns about public safety under Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)