A 32-year-old man was killed and four other people were wounded when multiple shooters opened fire during a basketball gathering at Haffen Park in the Baychester section of the Bronx on Saturday evening, according to the New York Police Department. A 17-year-old girl struck in the face was in critical condition Sunday. Three other victims—a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, both shot in the back, and a 42-year-old man shot in the arm—were reported in stable condition.
What happened
- Police said gunfire erupted at about 7:27 p.m. as a large crowd watched a basketball tournament inside the park.
- Responding officers found the 32-year-old man with a chest wound and the teenage girl with a facial gunshot wound. Both were taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where the man was pronounced dead.
- The 42-year-old man arrived by private vehicle at Montefiore Medical Center; the two other victims also reached hospitals by private transport.
- NYPD said at least four people were detained for questioning shortly after the shooting. No charges had been announced as of Sunday, and investigators have not publicly identified a motive.
- The name of the deceased is being withheld pending family notification.
Why it matters
The park shooting came one week after a mass-casualty incident in Brooklyn, where multiple shooters opened fire inside the Taste of the City Lounge in Crown Heights on Aug. 17, killing three men and wounding 11, police said. According to the NYPD, two of those killed in the Brooklyn attack were involved in the shooting; the third was an uninvolved bystander. Two suspected shooters in that case remain at large, and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has said investigators believe the lounge attack was gang-related.
The back-to-back weekend shootings have rattled residents even as overall citywide gun violence indicators continue to trend downward this year. NYPD’s most recent statistics show homicides are down 19.6% year to date compared with the same period in 2024; shooting victims are down 19.4%; and shooting incidents are down nearly 20%, police said.
Context and scene
Haffen Park, a neighborhood green space in Baychester, is commonly used for youth sports. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene as spectators ran for cover when bursts of gunfire cut through the event. Detectives are reviewing evidence and interviewing attendees to determine how many shooters were involved and whether the violence stemmed from a dispute tied to the tournament or an unrelated conflict.
What we know so far
- Time & location: ~7:27 p.m., Haffen Park, Baychester, Bronx.
- Victims: Five total; one male (32) fatally shot; four injured (17-year-old girl critical; three adults stable).
- Hospitals: Jacobi Medical Center (fatality and teen); Montefiore (42-year-old man); others arrived by private vehicle.
- Detentions: At least four people detained for questioning; no charges announced.
- Motive: Under investigation; NYPD seeking witnesses and video.
- Broader trend: Overall homicides and shootings are down year to date, per NYPD, despite the two recent mass-shooting events on consecutive weekends.
What’s next
- Identification: The Medical Examiner will formally identify the deceased and determine cause and manner of death.
- Evidence review: Detectives are canvassing nearby streets and park cameras, collecting shell casings, and seeking cell-phone videos from attendees.
- Community reassurance: Expect an increased police presence at parks and youth events in the area as the investigation continues.
How readers can help / safety notes
- Tips & video: Anyone who witnessed the shooting or recorded video is urged to contact NYPD detectives or Crime Stoppers. You can request to remain anonymous.
- Event safety: If attending crowded outdoor events, authorities advise noting exit routes, reporting disputes or suspicious behavior early, and moving away from the source of any disturbance while calling 911.
Closing summary
Saturday’s attack at Haffen Park marks New York City’s second mass shooting in as many weekends, intensifying pressure on investigators to quickly determine a motive and identify all shooters. While broader crime metrics show gun violence falling citywide, the consecutive high-profile incidents are likely to renew debate over how to best secure community spaces—especially those hosting youth activities—without undermining public access to parks and neighborhood events. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
