Three Dead in Brooklyn Bar Shooting; Two Suspects Still at Large

A shooting incident at the Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn, New York, resulted in the deaths of three individuals in the early hours of March 15, 2024. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, two of the deceased, Jamel Childs, 35, and Marvin St. Louis, 19, were involved in the altercation that led to the gunfire. Surveillance footage captured the two arguing shortly before the shooting began at approximately 03:30.

About ten minutes after the argument, St. Louis approached Childs and opened fire. Childs and two other men returned fire, leading to a chaotic scene filled with numerous gunshots. Both Childs and St. Louis were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. The third victim, Amadou Diallo, 27, was an innocent bystander and was declared dead at the scene.

Investigation and Ongoing Manhunt

As of Monday, two additional suspects who discharged firearms during the incident remain fugitives. While Commissioner Tisch did not provide further details about these individuals, she confirmed that a possible motive for the shooting is under investigation and appears to be gang-related. Tisch noted that Childs had a substantial criminal record and is identified as a member of Folk Nation, a gang associated with violence in Brooklyn.

Tisch indicated that this gang has been linked to six shootings this year alone. Survivors of the shooting also have ties to the same gang; however, St. Louis reportedly did not have a relevant criminal history.

In total, fourteen people were shot during the incident, but none of the survivors sustained life-threatening injuries, according to Mayor Eric Adams. Investigators recovered at least 42 shell casings from 9 mm and .45 caliber weapons at the scene and a firearm was found on a nearby street.

Community Response and Vigil

In the wake of the tragedy, Mayor Adams and New York State Attorney General Letitia James attended a vigil outside the bar on the evening of March 15, 2024. Community members gathered to honor the victims, participating in a moment of silence and led in prayer by local religious leaders.

“What happened in the Taste of the City is not a reflection of our city,” Adams stated, emphasizing the overall decrease in shootings and crime rates this year. Attorney General James echoed this sentiment, urging the community to unite against violence: “Recognize that violence is never the answer. There are too many families suffering right now.”

This incident marks the second mass shooting in New York City within a few weeks, despite an overall decline in gun-related violence throughout the year. On July 29, 2023, a shooting in a Manhattan office tower resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including Didarul Islam, a New York City police officer. Following the tragedy, Islam’s wife gave birth to their third child late Sunday night.

As investigations continue, law enforcement remains vigilant in their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The community is left to grapple with the impact of violence while advocating for peace and unity in the face of tragedy.