MANHUNT FOR MULTIPLE GUNMEN FOLLOWING MASS SHOOTING IN NYC SUNDAY MORNING

BREAKING: Multiple Gunmen Suspected in Deadly Brooklyn Restaurant Shooting

BROOKLYN, NY – August 17, 2025 – A mass shooting at the Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood left three men dead and eight others injured in a violent outburst that rocked the community early Sunday morning. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that multiple gunmen are believed to have opened fire inside the popular restaurant and nightlife venue at 903 Franklin Avenue, just before 3:30 a.m., prompting a swift police response and an ongoing manhunt.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided details during a morning press conference, stating that officers responded to multiple 911 calls at approximately 3:27 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered eleven victims with gunshot wounds. The deceased were identified as three men: two aged 27 and 35, with the third victim’s age undisclosed. The eight surviving victims—comprising eight men and three women, aged 27 to 61—suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Kings County Hospital and Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center. Authorities have not released updates on their conditions.

Investigators recovered 36 shell casings at the scene, along with a single firearm found on a nearby street, which is undergoing forensic analysis to determine its connection to the shooting. Preliminary findings suggest the incident stemmed from a dispute inside the lounge, though specifics about the nature of the conflict remain unclear. Tisch emphasized that the involvement of multiple gunmen is a key focus of the investigation, based on witness accounts and the volume of shell casings recovered. “We believe this was not a lone shooter scenario,” she noted, adding that the NYPD is reviewing extensive CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas to identify the perpetrators.

The Taste of the City Lounge, a Caribbean and American eatery known for its vibrant atmosphere, hookah service, and late-night DJ events, had closed for the night at 3 a.m., just minutes before the shooting erupted. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with patrons scrambling for safety amid gunfire, leaving behind shattered glass, bloodstains, and overturned furniture. The venue, located less than half a mile from the Brooklyn Museum, is a popular spot in the culturally rich Crown Heights neighborhood.

The NYPD has not made any arrests, and the suspects remain at large. Detectives are canvassing the area for additional evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together the sequence of events. The department’s Crime Stoppers hotline is offering a reward of up to $3,500 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

This tragedy marks a rare spike in gun violence in New York City, which has seen a historic low in shooting incidents in 2025, according to NYPD data. The incident follows a recent shooting in Times Square on August 9, where three bystanders were injured, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence despite the city’s overall decline in such crimes. The Emergency Management Office issued alerts Sunday morning, warning of road closures and transit disruptions around Franklin Avenue and President Street due to the heavy police presence.

Community leaders and residents expressed shock and grief over the shooting. “This is a place where people come to celebrate, to enjoy themselves,” said local business owner Marcus Johnson. “To have this kind of violence here is heartbreaking.” Calls for stronger gun control measures and community-based violence prevention programs have intensified in the wake of the attack.

The NYPD is urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or submit tips anonymously online. The investigation remains active as authorities work to bring those responsible to justice.

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