Eight shot, four children among them, in Coney Island attack during July 4 fireworks
A gunman opened fire on a crowd watching fireworks in Brooklyn's Coney Island on July 4, wounding eight people including four boys aged 6 to 14. A 21-year-old woman is in critical condition; police have recovered a weapon but made no arrests.
The attack
On the evening of July 4, 2026, as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence, a gunman opened fire on a crowd watching fireworks in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The NYPD received calls about shots fired at approximately 10:37 p.m. and responded to the scene on West 31st Street, near Surf Avenue and the boardwalk. Some reports placed the shooting on West 30th Street. Officers found eight people suffering from gunshot wounds and recovered a firearm at the location.
Victims and injuries
The wounded include two men, aged 33 and 37; two women, aged 21 and 25; and four boys, aged 6, 7, 12, and 14. The 33-year-old man and the 21-year-old woman were shot in the chest. The 37-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The children were hit in the legs, thighs, and abdomen. All eight were taken by emergency services to area hospitals. Seven are listed in stable condition; the 21-year-old woman remains in critical condition.
All victims were transported by emergency services to local hospitals, where seven are in stable condition. The 21-year-old woman is in critical condition.
Investigation
As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made and no suspect had been identified. Police are investigating the circumstances of the attack, which occurred in a densely packed area where residents and visitors had gathered to watch the holiday fireworks. The victims' names have not been made public.
Recent gun violence in Coney Island
The shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents in the area. Just days earlier, a young rapper was fatally shot in the same Brooklyn neighborhood. In May 2026, Brooklyn prosecutors indicted 15 people on charges of terrorizing Coney Island and adjacent blocks through a campaign of armed violence; the group is accused of committing 16 shootings over a 13-month period.
- Brooklyn prosecutors indict 15 people for gang violence in Coney Island, alleging 16 shootings over 13 months.
- A young rapper is shot dead in the same Coney Island area.
- Gunman opens fire on crowd watching fireworks, wounding eight people, including four children.
Separate fireworks incident
Earlier on July 4, during the Macy's fireworks display, a fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge. Social media footage showed thick smoke and flames on the bridge while fireworks lit up the sky. The fire was extinguished by around 10 p.m., and no casualties were reported.
