Investigators say two masked shooters opened fire outside an Atlantic Avenue event hall about 20 minutes after the party ended.
BROOKLYN, NY — Six teenagers were shot early Sunday outside an event space on Atlantic Avenue after a Sweet 16 celebration in the East New York–Cypress Hills area of Brooklyn, according to police. The gunfire erupted around 1:15 a.m., and two masked suspects fled before officers arrived.
Police said the victims — two 15-year-old girls, a 15-year-old boy, two 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy — had gathered outside the venue after the party wrapped up. All were taken to nearby hospitals in stable condition. Detectives are reviewing surveillance video, interviewing witnesses and canvassing the block for shell casings and other evidence. The shooting, steps from a busy corridor of late-night businesses and transit, renewed public concern about youth safety at private events and the flow of guns onto city streets.
Officers and medics responded within minutes, closing off the stretch near the Burbuja Events hall as snow fell and partygoers scattered. A preliminary timeline from investigators says the party ended roughly 20 minutes before shots rang out. Witnesses described “a chaotic, distressing scene,” as teenagers ducked behind parked cars while first responders stabilized the wounded and loaded them into ambulances. Venue management said the incident “happened outside” and that staff cooperated with police, adding that the hall had cleared without incident. Patrol officers guided attendees to side streets as detectives began logging evidence and collecting camera footage from nearby storefronts.
Police said the wounded teens suffered gunshots to their chest, hip, legs, arms or foot, with injuries varying by victim. At least one girl was struck multiple times, authorities said. The victims were transported to Brookdale University Hospital and Kings County Hospital, where all were listed in stable condition by Sunday afternoon. Investigators are searching for two male suspects who wore dark clothing and masks and were seen running from the area after the bursts of gunfire. The motive remains under investigation; detectives said it was too early to determine whether a dispute that began at or near the party carried over into the street. No arrests had been announced as of Monday morning.
The shooting occurred along a stretch of Atlantic Avenue that straddles East New York and Cypress Hills, a section of Brooklyn with a mix of warehouses, small venues and transit hubs. Residents said weekend events often draw large youth crowds. In recent years, police and community groups have tried to coordinate earlier end times and better security at private rentals, especially Sweet 16s and quinceañeras that can swell in size through social media invites. Sunday’s incident also echoed other party-related shootings across the country that left groups of young people wounded in recent years, underscoring the challenge of preventing violence once crowds move from indoor events into the street.
Detectives from the 75th Precinct and Brooklyn North are leading the investigation, with assistance from the department’s Gun Violence Suppression Division. Police said they are reviewing doorbell and commercial surveillance video and ballistics from the scene. Investigators are also tracing any recovered shell casings to check whether the weapons were used in other crimes. The department asked business owners on Atlantic Avenue to preserve footage from late Saturday into early Sunday. Officials said further updates would be provided once detectives identify the shooters or make arrests. If arrests are made, charges would likely include assault, reckless endangerment and illegal possession of a weapon. No court dates had been set as of Monday.
As daylight returned Sunday, a small cluster of relatives and friends stopped by the taped-off curb to check for news and gather dropped jackets and shoes. A school security worker who lives nearby said he woke to “kids yelling and sirens,” and stayed on his stoop until the street cleared. City Council Member Yusef Salaam, who represents parts of Harlem and has supported youth programs citywide, called the episode a reminder that “young people are living with violence they did not create.” An employee sweeping the sidewalk outside the hall said staff followed closing rules and that the night had been “calm inside.” By afternoon, police had lifted most of the tape, though a mobile command truck remained parked near the corner as detectives went door to door.
Police said the condition of the six victims had not changed by late Sunday night and that investigators planned to return to the block Monday to re-interview witnesses and check for any new video. The next formal update is expected after detectives compile findings from canvasses and hospital interviews.
Author note: Last updated December 15, 2025.