Eight shot, including four children, near Coney Island during Fourth of July fireworks

Eight people, including four children, were shot on Saturday night near the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn shortly after spectators gathered for Fourth of July fireworks.

The shooting took place at approximately 10:35 pm near Surf Avenue. The fireworks show began over the boardwalk at 9:45 pm. After gunshots rang out, law enforcement arrived on the scene, with video footage showing officers running down the street with young victims in their arms to help them get medical care.

The victims included a 33-year-old male, a 21-year-old female, a 25-year-old female, a 14-year-old male, a 12-year-old male, and a 37-year-old male. A 7-year-old boy was also shot in the legs or thigh, and a 6-year-old boy was shot in the stomach.

Seven of the victims are in stable condition, and the 21-year-old female is in critical condition. All were transported to local hospitals after the shooting.

One deli worker nearby told The New York Post, “When I see in the camera I see the cops running with the kids in their hands.”

“When I went out I saw one kid was going into the ambulance and I was told there were four inside,” they added.

The incident is under investigation, and it is unclear how many gunmen there were or why the shots were fired. However, residents said that the area is known for violence, with one telling the Post, “It’s so sad they won’t enjoy themselves without them killing each other. This building is always partying. I came home to have fun and now this. This building always has some trouble.”

Another neighbor told the outlet: “It’s nothing new over here honestly.”