Brooklyn, New York — A Fourth of July family celebration in Coney Island turned into a nightmare after a gunman opened fire into a crowd, leaving eight people wounded, including four children, and sending a 6-year-old boy to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his chest.
The young victim’s mother, Ineisha Greene, 27, said her son is struggling to understand why he was targeted during what was supposed to be a joyful Independence Day gathering surrounded by relatives and friends.
Adding to the family’s heartbreak, Greene said her son never had the chance to meet his father, who was fatally shot in the Bronx while she was pregnant with him in 2019.
Family Celebration Ended in Seconds as Gunfire Broke Out
According to police, the shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Friday during an annual family cookout held inside a gated area near West 30th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island.
Greene said the evening had been peaceful, with children playing, music filling the neighborhood and fireworks lighting the sky.
“Everybody was good still, music playing – fireworks still going on, kids around,” Greene said.
Moments later, gunfire erupted from outside the gate, throwing the gathering into chaos.
Greene recalled that her son had just returned with food and was about to sit down when he suddenly jumped up screaming.
Initially, she believed he had been struck by a firework.
However, after seeing another family member bleeding from the leg, she realized the sounds were gunshots.
“I grabbed my son and I ran… in the house with my daughter in the other arm, and when I got in the house, I lifted up my son’s shirt and saw that he had a gunshot to his chest.”
Young Boy Recovering but Still Traumatized
Although doctors said the child’s injuries were not life-threatening, Greene said her son continues to recover from significant physical and emotional trauma.
The bullet left wounds in his chest, side and wrist, while also causing bruising to his lungs.
She said he has struggled to eat or drink since the shooting and remains confused by what happened.
“My son just keeps saying that somebody shot him. But he’s only 6.”
The boy is recovering alongside his 14-year-old uncle, who was also wounded in the attack.
Eight Victims Shot During Holiday Gathering
Police said eight people were injured, including four children.
Among the victims were Greene’s 7-year-old and 12-year-old cousins, who were hospitalized at separate medical centers.
A 21-year-old cousin suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and remained in critical condition after being placed in a medically induced coma.
Authorities also reported injuries to a 37-year-old man, 33-year-old man, and 25-year-old woman, all of whom are expected to survive.
Police Investigating Possible Retaliatory Gang Violence
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, investigators believe the shooting may have been connected to retaliation following an earlier gang-related homicide on the same block.
Police said there was no argument or disturbance at the family gathering before shots were fired. Investigators recovered a Tec-9-style firearm with an extended magazine and 10 spent shell casings at the scene.
Greene said the shooter remained outside the fenced area while bullets struck people gathered inside.
“Why would you want to shoot into a crowd with nothing but kids? There’s more kids outside than anything.”
As of Monday, no arrests had been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing. Greene said she hopes those responsible are found and held fully accountable.
“I hope they catch the person that did this… You almost took my son’s life, that is 6 years old.”
What are your thoughts on this tragic shooting?
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