Five people shot, one killed in an ‘intentional act’ that rattles West Indian American Day Parade

By Brian Braiker

One man died and at least four other people were wounded in a shooting along the route of the West Indian American Day Parade on Monday, in an act of violence that disrupted an otherwise joyful day that drew an estimated 1 million attendees.

The New York Times is reporting that the man who died was Denzel A. Chan, of Texas. Four other victims were listed in staple condition Tuesday morning, according to the NYPD at a 4 p.m. news conference.

In what NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell told reporters was “intentional act by one person towards a group of people,” an unidentified gunman fired into the crowd at 307 Eastern Parkway at around 2:35 p.m., as the celebration of the Caribbean diaspora was well underway.

The shooter — who was described as a Black man in his 20s with a slim build, wearing a black bandana and a dark shirt with stains on it — had not been apprehended, according to police. They also said they did not believe it to be an “active shooter” scenario.

“It’s devastating that such a beautiful celebration was marred by senseless violence yet again,” Rev. Al Sharpton, who had been at the parade earlier in the day with this grandson, said, according to Gothamist. “We must come together to end the cycle of gun violence in our communities.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had also been at the parade earlier in the day, as had Mayor Eric Adams.

“I’m pained and troubled by the horrible shooting that took place as we were marching together at the West Indian Day Festival and Parade in Brooklyn,” Schumer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Thank you to our 1st responders on the scene. I pray for everyone affected. We must keep working to end gun violence in America.”

I’m pained and troubled by the horrible shooting that took place as we were marching together at the West Indian Day Festival and Parade in Brooklyn.

Thank you to our 1st responders on the scene. I pray for everyone affected. We must keep working to end gun violence in America.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 2, 2024

Acts of violence have marred the annual parade in years past, including two people who were shot and a third person was slashed in the arm along the route last year.

But in an indication of how large the event is, a Brooklyn Magazine reporter who had been near the scene at the time of the incident was not aware that the shooting had occurred. The day had otherwise been a joyful celebration of culture and Caribbean life, as intended.