6 Shot In Flatbush, Brooklyn; 2 Dead
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Six people were struck, and two of them were killed, when gunfire erupted outside a funeral Monday evening in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Heavy, armed cops were on the ground, choppers were overhead, and crime scene lights bathed the front of the Emmanuel Church of God on Flatbush Avenue near Foster Avenue, following a shootout at a funeral.
As CBS2's Lou Young reported, a silver sport-utility vehicle rolled up on mourners and the people inside opened fire, police sources said. A source said there were three males inside of the SUV. They arrived as the funeral was ending.
At the scene, NYPD Chief of Detective Robert Boyce said three gunmen opened fire from inside the vehicle, and someone returned fire from the church. Fifteen shots were fired in all, he said.
Law enforcement sources told CBS2 that four people were initially hit outside the church when the shots rang out around 8:45 p.m.
Another person was found shot in the abdomen at Farragut Road and 32nd Street, while a sixth man walked into Kings County Hospital Center saying he had been shot at the Flatbush Avenue address, sources said.
The victims included three males, and three females, a source said.
Two of the victims were later pronounced dead, police said.
This was not a part of Brooklyn where gunfire is routine. The sudden firefight shocked many.
"I thought it was firecrackers," Popie Asar said.
Local politicians and organizers are worried it could lead to something more.
"We want it make sure that whoever did the shootings are held responsible, and we want to make sure law enforcement is doing that," said City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-45th). "We want make sure that we prevent any retaliatory shootings that may come from this."
"Somebody died, and to turn around, now two more people are dead attending a funeral," community organizer Tony Herbert said. "This is crazy."
The funeral was for an alleged gang member, but he did not die from violence. He died of a heart attack, a source said.