BROOKLYN, NY – Law enforcement in New York City continues to search for two gunmen linked to a shooting that took place at a playground in Brooklyn’s Brownsville area Monday night. The violence resulted in two young girls, identified later as cousins, getting caught in the crossfire.
The horrific event unfolded at the Hilltop Playground, where 9-year-old Ruanna Brown and her 11-year-old cousin, Empress Alexander Davis, were involved in an evening of fun. Their joy was abruptly disrupted as the unidentified assailants opened fire, injuring the two girls, according to New York City Police Department reports.
Ruanna’s mother, Melissa Alexander, expressed her anguish over the calamity, stating that she was emotionally distraught and trembling with fear for her child’s safety. Alexander mentioned her daughter was shot in the knee, while Empress, who remains in hospital care, suffered a shot to the back.
Assistant Chief Scott Henderson of the Brooklyn North patrol division lamented about the senseless act during a press conference at the playground, stating the incident was a tragic illustration of gun violence inflicted upon the city’s vulnerable youth. Preliminary investigations unearthed that at least six rounds were fired by the gunmen, intended for an unidentified individual. However, the errant bullets struck the unsuspecting children instead.
The NYPD has not made any arrests and is calling on the public’s support in identifying the gunmen. Motive of the shooting is still unclear, with officers not ruling out possible gang-related motives.
Frightened parents and guardians of the local community expressed their worry and fear over the safety of their children. The incident adds to a growing national concern: Gun Violence Archive reveals a disturbing trend where 324 children aged 11 or younger were victims of shootings across the U.S. in the first five months this year, including 94 fatalities.