East Flatbush Playground Shooting Sends 5 Teens to Hospital

Harry Maze Playground. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

EAST FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — Five teen boys between the ages of 15 and 18 were shot in broad daylight around 3:50 p.m. Monday at the Harry Maze Playground in East Flatbush, according to the NYPD.

The community playground is located at 5426 Kings Highway, near Foster Avenue.

All the boys shot Monday afternoon were considered "likely to live" by later that evening, police said. They were all hit by bullets in different parts of their bodies, police said — one in his hand, for example, one in his torso and one in his cheek. 

Four of the teens were transported via ambulance to Kings County Hospital in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, police said, and the fifth walked in on his own.

"They were there hanging out" at the park, a police spokeswoman told Patch, "when a black male between 17 and 20 years old approached them and started shooting at the victims for an unknown reason, then fled."

The shooting suspect was last seen weating a red shirt and black jeans, police said, and was still on the loose as the sun set Monday.

"Everybody's cooperating" with the investigation, the police spokeswoman said.

Anyone with a tip for the NYPD regarding Monday's shooting is encouraged to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit their tip online.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.