Five people were shot near the route of the West Indian Day Parade route in Brooklyn on Monday, NYPD has confirmed.
There was no immediate word on injuries.
The shooting took place at 307 Eastern Parkway at 2:35 p.m., and the investigation is ongoing, police said. NYPD scheduled a briefing outside the Brooklyn Museum at 4 p.m.
Earlier in the day, some attendees expressed concerns about gun violence, after prior years’ festivities were marred by violence.
Brooklyn resident Marie Clarke, 58, who was clad in green and yellow for the Jamaican flag, said she’s noticed the crowds – while still substantial – had thinned in recent years.
“It was more trucks, and it was more crowded,” Clarke said, adding she worried fear of gun violence had kept people away.
“I think it’s because of the crime,” Clarke said. “We need to unite and live in peace and harmony. And stop the violence. Stop killing each other. Put away the guns. There’s too much guns in this place. “
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is known.