NYPD Intensifies Manhunt for Suspects in Deadly Crown Heights Mass Shooting

Crown Heights, Brooklyn – August 21, 2025 - The New York City Police Department (NYPD) continues its relentless search for two gunmen still at large following a deadly mass shooting at the Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood that left three men dead and at least 11 others wounded. The violent incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, August 17, 2025, has shaken the community and prompted city officials to mobilize a comprehensive response to prevent further violence.

The shooting erupted just before 3:30 a.m. at the popular restaurant and hookah lounge located at 903 Franklin Avenue, where authorities say a dispute escalated into a barrage of gunfire involving up to four shooters. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the incident appears to be gang-related, with 42 shell casings from 9mm and .45-caliber firearms recovered at the scene. A firearm found nearby on Bedford Avenue is under investigation for possible connection to the shooting.

The three men killed were identified as Marvin St. Louis, 19, Jamel Andre Childs, 35, and Amadou Diallo, 27. Police revealed that St. Louis and Childs were among the suspected gunmen, with St. Louis initiating the gunfire after a brief argument with Childs, a known member of the Folk Nation gang. Childs, who had eight prior arrests and was on parole following a 2018 robbery conviction, returned fire, as did two other unidentified gunmen who remain at large. Diallo, described by family as an innocent bystander chasing the American dream, was caught in the crossfire. Three other victims are also linked to the Folk Nation gang, according to police.

The total number of victims has risen to 14, with two additional individuals seeking treatment at local hospitals on Sunday evening and Monday morning. All surviving victims, ranging in age from 19 to 61, are expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with patrons diving for cover and fleeing for their lives as bullets tore through the crowded venue. “It was a bloodbath,” said James Jones, a local resident who returned to the scene shortly after the shooting. “There was blood all over the place, bullet shells everywhere.

”Mayor Eric Adams, addressing the tragedy, emphasized the city’s commitment to curbing gun violence, noting that New York City has seen a record-low number of shootings in the first seven months of 2025, with a 21% drop in shooting incidents compared to the previous year. “This is an anomaly, but it’s a tragic reminder of the work we must continue to do,” Adams said at a Monday vigil outside the lounge, where community members and religious leaders gathered to mourn the victims and call for an end to the cycle of violence. Crisis management teams have been deployed to provide trauma services and mediate with victims’ families to prevent retaliatory attacks.

The NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even small details could be critical in solving the case. “If you were inside the club, heard individuals talking about this shooting, or witnessed someone fleeing the location, please call our Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS,” Commissioner Tisch said. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives reviewing surveillance footage that captured the initial altercation between St. Louis and Childs.Taste of the City Lounge issued a statement on Instagram, expressing devastation over the incident and pledging full cooperation with law enforcement. The venue, known for its American and Caribbean cuisine, hookah, and lively nightlife, has faced scrutiny following a non-fatal shooting at the same location in November 2024. Community members, like long-time Crown Heights resident James Brown, expressed frustration, stating, “They should have closed it down a long time ago.”

As the manhunt intensifies, the NYPD has increased its presence in Crown Heights, and community leaders are calling for unity and action to address the root causes of gun violence. “Bullets destroy and they hurt,” Mayor Adams said at the vigil. “What happened at Taste of the City is not a reflection of our city, but of the work we must do to keep illegal guns off our streets.”

The investigation remains active, with no arrests made as of Thursday, August 21, 2025. Authorities continue to appeal for public assistance to bring the remaining suspects to justice and provide closure to a community reeling from this tragic act of violence.

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