Fatal shooting at West Indian Day Parade was gang-related, NYPD says

NEW YORK — The New York Police Department now confirms Deadly Monday afternoon shooting along Brooklyn’s West Indian American Day Parade route had ties to a gang.

“Isolated, gang-related incident,” said Deputy Chief Jerry O’Sullivan. “Based on witness statements, we believe one shooter jumped over a police barricade and fired shots at individuals who were in that direction.”

Police said 25-year-old Denzel Chan was killed and four people aged 16 to 69 were injured. Chan’s uncle told CBS News New York on Tuesday that his nephew was a “good kid” in the “wrong place at the wrong time.”

“He’s not involved with a gang. He’s not a gang,” the uncle said.

Officers are still searching for the attacker, who was described as a man in his 20s, wearing a brown shirt with paint splattered on it and a black bandana.

“We moved additional resources when we felt we would, in case of potential retaliation,” said Deputy Commissioner for Operations Kaz Daughtry.

NYPD releases body camera footage of fatal shooting at West Indies America’s Day Parade

On Wednesday, New York police discovered 13 illegal weapons taken from the parade route on Monday.

Police body camera footage shows officers pushing through the crowd, detaining one person and carrying loaded weapons.

The department also recognized the officers, who the NYPD said were wanted for armed robberies in Monroe and Nassau counties. A fully loaded handgun was found in the vehicle.

“History also shows that the New York Police Department and the community significantly reduced violence during this event,” said Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey.

Murders in the five boroughs declined between 2023 and 2024, according to New York Police data.

“As we look at the parade, I think it’s important to briefly discuss the safest month of August ever recorded in 31 years,” said Michael Lipetri, head of crime control strategies.

According to the New York Police Department, murders dropped the most, down about 53% from last year.