NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) — Violence erupted ahead of a festival in New York City on Monday, leaving one man dead and several people injured, including the first deputy counsel to N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
A series of stabbings and shootings started at about 2 a.m. ahead of the West Indian Day parade in New York City scheduled to begin at 4 a.m.
A 24-year-old stabbing victim succumbed to his injuries at the New York Methodist Hospital and a shooting victim, 21, was shot in the buttocks and was expected to recover.
The violence happened in and around Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, the destination of the parade, as well as in Crown Heights, where Carey Gabay, 43, Cuomo’s first deputy counsel, was shot in the head.
“Early this morning, Carey Gabay — a member of our administration — was shot in Brooklyn. Carey is now in critical condition at Kings County Hospital. Carey is first deputy general counsel at Empire State Development and was formerly an assistant counsel to the governor,” Gov. Cuomo said in a statement. “Carey is an outstanding public servant who joined our administration in 2011. He is a Harvard-educated lawyer who works for the state because he wants to give back to others and make a difference. He is just 43 years old and is a kind-hearted man. Carey is a friend to all who have the pleasure of meeting him. I ask that New Yorkers join us by keeping him, his wife Trenelle and his family in their prayers at this time.”
The New York Police Department dispatched an additional 1,500 police to patrol the streets ahead of the West Indian Day parade, which is often tainted by violence.
“This tragic shooting — this one by another seemingly random bullet — is the latest heartbreaking reminder that the crime of gun violence must stop. Enough young, innocent people have died, and it must stop now,” Cuomo added.
