Police are searching for a gunman who allegedly opened fire late Monday morning in East New York, and investigators are asking neighbors to help put a name to the face.
According to the NYPD, the incident unfolded on January 26, 2026, at about 11:44 a.m. outside 849 Belmont Avenue in East New York. An unidentified individual allegedly discharged a firearm and displayed the weapon in front of the building, then ran from the scene on foot. Detectives say the person is wanted on a reckless endangerment case, and they have released images and details in hopes the public can help identify the suspect.
In a Facebook post from NYPD Crime Stoppers, investigators say the suspect fired multiple times, showed the gun, and was last seen entering the Shepherd Avenue subway station. The post urges anyone with information to message @NYPDTips or call the anonymous tip line at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Where it happened
Per the NYPD 75th Precinct, 849 Belmont Avenue falls inside its East New York command area in eastern Brooklyn. The address is within the precinct's regular patrol zone, and officers from that precinct handled the response to the January 26 shooting.
Police appeal and how to report tips
Detectives have classified the case as reckless endangerment and are leaning on community members who may have seen something to come forward. The NYPD's citywide Crime Stoppers program highlights several anonymous options for sharing information, including the 1-800-577-TIPS hotline and online submissions. For details on how to file a confidential tip, visit NYPD Crime Stoppers.
Legal implications
Under New York law, the severity of a reckless endangerment charge depends on what prosecutors believe they can prove in court. Reckless endangerment in the second degree, defined in New York State Senate materials as creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person, is a class A misdemeanor. Reckless endangerment in the first degree, outlined at the New York State Senate, is a class D felony that applies when conduct creates a grave risk of death. Those statutes set the standards prosecutors must meet to bring charges in a case like this.
Context
Belmont Avenue and nearby blocks have seen other gun violence in recent years, which has kept the 75th Precinct busy with firearm calls alongside community-outreach efforts. A March 2025 double shooting near Belmont and Sheffield Avenue, reported by amNY, underscored how the corridor has remained on the department's radar.
Anyone with information about the January 26 incident outside 849 Belmont Avenue is urged to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers or call 1-800-577-TIPS to share a tip anonymously.
