Police have apprehended a suspect in connection with a mass shooting that occurred during a July 4th family cookout in Coney Island, Brooklyn, leaving eight people wounded, including four children. Robert Smith, 44, was arrested Wednesday morning at his Brooklyn home and charged with multiple counts of attempted murder, according to the New York Police Department.
The shooting took place Saturday night as the family was celebrating the holiday in a Coney Island park. A masked gunman, described as wearing black, reportedly opened fire on the group before fleeing the scene. The victims, who are all related, sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of their bodies.
Among those injured were a 6-year-old grandson with a stomach wound, and three other minors—a 14-year-old son and 7- and 12-year-old nephews—who were shot in the legs. The adult victims included two nieces, aged 21 and 25, and two cousins, aged 33 and 37.
"They shot our babies," said Carlene Pearsall, grandmother of the youngest victim, during a plea for justice near the crime scene. "This is senseless. Our kids did not deserve that. My son is laying in a hospital bed saying, 'Mom, what did I do to deserve this?' Son, you did absolutely nothing."
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack, but sources familiar with the investigation suggest it may be gang-related. Records indicate Smith has a prior gun-related arrest in Brooklyn from 2012.
The arrest of Smith came a day after Pearsall’s emotional address to the public.
