Five people were shot during the West Indian American Day Parade in New York

According to news on September 3, 2024, a shooting incident occurred during the West Indian American Day Parade in New York City on September 2, and five people were shot. This violent incident once again has an impact on one of the largest annual celebrations of Caribbean culture in the world.USA

John Chell, the captain of patrol for the New York Police Department, said that a gunman aimed at specific people and opened fire on the parade route in Brooklyn around 2:35 pm. At that time, only a few hours had passed since the start of the parade. Thousands of revelers were dancing and marching on Eastern Parkway. The parade was expected to last until evening. Two people were seriously injured, and the other three victims are expected to survive. The gunman fled the scene. Chell emphasized that this was not a random event but a deliberate act.

An Associated Press cameraman witnessed at least two people injured nearby. The police sealed off the area near the parade route and placed crime scene markers. Chell called on bystanders to provide video clips of the shooting incident. Some people participating in the parade were shocked by the violent incident. Jalisa Bailey called it terrifying. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was also in the parade and walked the entire route. He posted on social media expressing pain and distress over the shooting incident and praying for those affected.

This parade is an annual Labor Day event. This year is the 57th edition. It usually attracts a large crowd and is also a popular destination for local politicians. However, over the years, the parade and related celebrations have been plagued by violence. In 2016, two people died and many were injured near the parade route. In 2015, an aide to then-governor Andrew Cuomo died after being shot in the head during a pre-parade celebration. The West Indian American Day Parade originated about a century ago and has now become the climax of several days of revelry in the city.