BROOKLYN, N.Y. — What began as a late-night gathering turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak in Crown Heights on Sunday morning, when gunfire erupted inside a Brooklyn nightclub, leaving three men dead and eight others wounded.
The incident unfolded just before 3:30 a.m. at the Taste of the City Lounge, located near Bedford Avenue and Eastern Parkway. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the details during a press briefing, calling the deadly outburst “a terrible tragedy.”
According to investigators, multiple shooters were involved in the altercation that led to the hail of bullets. Police recovered at least 36 shell casings from the scene, as well as a firearm nearby, though it remains unclear whether it was connected to the crime.
The victims fatally shot have been identified as a 27-year-old man, a 35-year-old man, and another man whose age has not yet been confirmed. Eight additional individuals sustained injuries ranging in severity, but all are expected to survive. The oldest among them, a 61-year-old man, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds.
“This morning’s events are deeply troubling,” Tisch said. “We’re going to fully investigate to determine exactly what went down, and to hold those responsible accountable.”
Authorities believe the violence stemmed from a dispute that broke out inside the club. As of Sunday afternoon, no arrests had been made, and police are urging anyone with information to step forward.
The Taste of the City Lounge, a nightlife spot that opened in 2022 and is known for its mix of American and Caribbean cuisine and hookah offerings, has faced trouble before. In November 2024, the establishment was the site of another shooting, though no fatalities were reported in that incident.
Despite the grim circumstances, Commissioner Tisch emphasized that shootings overall are down citywide. “We have the lowest number of shooting incidents and victims seven months into the year on record in New York City,” she noted. “This was, thankfully, an anomaly, though it’s no less devastating for the families and community affected.”
The Crown Heights neighborhood, now reeling from the latest eruption of gun violence, has been left with unanswered questions and calls for greater accountability in nightlife safety. Community members are expected to gather in the coming days to honor the victims and push for peace in their streets.