Three Killed, Eight Injured as Gunmen Open Fire Inside Brooklyn Caribbean-American Restaurant
A late-night outing turned into tragedy in Brooklyn on Sunday when gunmen stormed a Caribbean-American restaurant and hookah lounge, killing three people and injuring eight others in what police described as one of the worst mass shootings in New York City this year.
The attack took place just before 3:30 a.m. at Taste of the City Lounge on Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights. According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), multiple shooters opened fire inside the crowded venue as patrons were winding down for the night.
Authorities said three men — aged 27, 35, and another whose identity has not yet been disclosed — died at the scene. Eight other victims, five men and three women between the ages of 27 and 61, suffered gunshot wounds but were reported to be in stable condition after being rushed to area hospitals.
Investigators recovered at least 36 shell casings inside the lounge and found a firearm near the crime scene, though it remains unclear if the weapon was used in the attack. As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been made, and police are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as “a terrible anomaly,” pointing out that 2025 has so far recorded the lowest number of shootings in New York City’s modern history. “It’s a terrible thing that’s happened this morning,” she said, pledging that detectives would not relent until the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
The Taste of the City Lounge, which opened in 2022, has a reputation as a lively spot offering Caribbean cuisine, live music, and hookah services. But the establishment had previously been linked to violence — a non-fatal shooting occurred there in November 2024. Sunday’s bloodshed has now reignited concerns about safety at nightlife venues across the city.
Located less than half a mile from the Brooklyn Museum, the lounge typically attracts a diverse late-night crowd. By mid-Sunday morning, Franklin Avenue was sealed off with heavy police presence, as crime scene investigators worked at the site and grieving relatives gathered nearby.
City officials and community leaders have condemned the attack and called for greater cooperation from residents to help track down those responsible.
“This is not who we are as a community,” a local council member said, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Police believe more than one gunman was involved and are appealing to the public for leads.
