After a day of celebrations, the West Indian American Day Parade route in Brooklyn turned violent on Monday night.

At least five people, including a 14-year-old, were shot and two were slashed in less than two hours on or near Eastern Parkway, the NYPD said.

All of the people wounded by gunfire were shot between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., police said. Most of the victims were listed in stable condition.

The slashings happened at around 6 p.m., also along Eastern Parkway. One person is listed in stable condition and the other refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

So far no arrests have been made.

The violence unfolded despite a heightened police presence along the parade route. The NYPD said there was 13 security checkpoints along Empire Boulevard and Nostrand Avenue, with spectators screened with handheld metal detectors.

"This will be the largest police deployment of the year -- even bigger than our deployments for New Year's Eve in Times Square, even bigger than our deployments for July 4th," Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Friday.  

"There are currently no specific or credible threats against the West Indian Parade. However, we're going to remain vigilant, like we always do, to prevent any form of violence that will take place," Mayor Eric Adams added.

Last year's parade was marred by violence when a shooting broke out, killing a 25-year-old man from Texas and injuring four victims, ranging in age from 16 to 69. The NYPD said that shooting was gang related.

West Indian Day Parade takes over Eastern Parkway

More than 1 million spectators joined the bands and masqueraders for the party on the parkway, a Labor Day tradition for nearly six decades.

"This is the 58th anniversary, and it's 'Vive Le Carnivale' for 2025, giving life to carnival and the Caribbean culture," said Cecille Ford, board secretary for the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

Crowds started gathering as early as 2 a.m. in Crown Heights for J'Ouvert, the daybreak celebration that signals the beginning of Carnival.

No matter what Caribbean nation you're from, the parade is home away from home. It's an explosion of culture, filled with authentic island food, music, dancing, masqueraders in shimmering costumes and no shortage of flags.

"Everything that you need home is here in Brooklyn, especially on Labor Day," spectator Carl Williams said. "So if you want your flag, if you want your food -- chicken curry, goat oxtail, anything - you get it right here on Labor Day, and that's the best place to be."

"Today is important because we are showing that we are all one. All countries are coming together to show pride and love, and this day is really about us being free," said another spectator. "Carnival is an act of rebellion. We are free, we are on the road, we are celebrating with each other."

The roughly two-mile route started at Utica Avenue near Lincoln Terrace Park. It traveled west on Eastern Parkway to Grand Army Plaza, ending near the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park.

West Indian Day Parade street closures in Brooklyn

Street closures for the festivities began Sunday and last through Monday, at the discretion of police, the New York City Department of Transportation said.

The following closures will be in effect:

• Grand Army Plaza (Entire Circle)
• Butler Place between Grand Army Plaza and Sterling Place
• St. Johns Place between Underhill Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
• Flatbush Avenue between Grand Army Plaza and Caton Avenue
• Washington Avenue between Sterling Place and Lincoln Road
• Bedford Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard
• Rochester Avenue between East New York Avenue and Sterling Place
• Buffalo Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
• Ralph Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
• Ocean Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Parkside Avenue
• Nostrand Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Linden Boulevard
• Eastern Parkway (Main & Service Roads) between Plaza Street East and Howard Avenue
• Lincoln Place between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
• Rockaway Parkway between East New York Avenue and Rutland Road
• East New York Avenue between Howard Avenue and Utica Avenue
• Empire Boulevard between Flatbush Avenue and Nostrand Avenue
• Parkside Avenue between Park Circle and Flatbush Avenue

What time does the NYC West Indian Day Parade end?

The parade, which is held each year on Labor Day, stepped off around 11 a.m. Monday.

Adams joined other Carnival officials for the annual VIP breakfast, and then cut the ribbon to officially kick off the parade. His fellow mayoral candidates, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa, were also in attendance. 

The parade usually lasts several hours before wrapping up around 6 p.m.

What is J'Ouvert? The meaning explained

J'Ouvert comes from the French phrase, "jour ouvert," meaning daybreak or morning. 

The early morning celebration started before dawn, around 6 a.m., signaling the beginning of Carnival. 

The festival celebrates the vast Caribbean diaspora with elaborate costumes, street band music, dancing and more.

West Indian countries kicking off Carnival

Caribbean pride has been on display at events all weekend long, including a Soca music festival, a Junior Carnival Parade and the annual Panorama steelpan festival.

Soca star Kes, who has provided some of the most dominant carnival anthems of the century, performed at a music festival at the Brooklyn Museum on Friday night.

"Carnival is identity for us," he said. "We really try our best to bridge the gap between what we do in Trinidad and the world, and for people to really understand it from a different perspective."

While the party is on the parkway, the taste of the islands will be on plates. Local restaurants, like Gee's on Nostrand Avenue, are preparing for big crowds.

"We're known for Caribbean dishes," said Wayne Coc, at Gee's. "Everything that you miss in the Caribbean, we have it."

Saturday, kids took center stage during Youth Fest, part of the Junior Carnival events. It was held behind the Brooklyn Museum and included performances, backpack giveaways and lots of food.

Later that night, for the 58th year, steelpan drum bands from across the world hit the stage, serving up harmony and rhythm while vying for prize money and bragging rights.