In an act of arson in Bushwick, Brooklyn, at least 11 NYPD vehicles were set ablaze in the early hours yesterday, with the incident raising alarms after undetonated explosive devices were discovered on the scene. The vehicles were parked in a lot close to the 83rd Precinct, located at the intersection of Central and DeKalb avenues. The discovery of the vehicles took place at around 1:30 a.m., as reported by ABC7NY.
There were also three incendiary devices, similar to M-80s, found on cars around the charred NYPD vehicles that were spotted by officers who were responding to the fire. According to The Post, the spheres with wicks sticking out above a tire on the cars resembled fire starters available at general stores. Alongside the burned vehicles, several also appear to have been vandalized, with shattered windows, evidencing the wreck the suspects left behind.
In the wake of the destruction, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the scene, with Adams condemning the violent acts. "We want to be clear, no one has a license to commit violence in our city, especially against law enforcement, this damage is unacceptable and we will find the person who is involved," Mayor Adams proclaimed in a statement obtained by ABC7NY. Security measures have been heightened around NYPD parking lots as a precautionary response.
Authorities have obtained footage of a suspect wearing all black and a mask, caught climbing over a fence into the lot. A resident described the suspect as "short and slim" and suggests he lives in the neighborhood, with the resident telling The Post, "by the way he knew where everything was."
The incident has raised concerns among local business owners, including Jessica Walker—a former police officer now operating a business—who expressed unease about its potential impact on community safety and cohesion. “The neighbors are extremely scared,” Walker said in an interview with ABC7NY.
While a motive for the attack has not been officially confirmed, officers found a flyer directly across from the police station accusing the 83rd precinct of disrupting Puerto Rican Day celebrations and injuring participants. The flyer encourages resistance against the police, linking the incident to wider protests occurring from Los Angeles to New York City. Despite the linkage presented in the flyer, the NYPD has yet to establish a direct connection to the group or individuals responsible for the arson.
