A 9-year-old boy is recovering at a Brooklyn hospital after a bullet struck his right leg Thursday evening in Brownsville. Police say the shooting happened just before 6 p.m. near the intersection of Livonia Avenue and Bristol Street. The child was taken to a nearby hospital and is now listed as recovering.
Shooting Rattles Block Near Busy Transit Hub
The NYPD says the gunfire erupted just before 6 p.m. near Livonia Avenue and Bristol Street. A neighbor told CBS New York she heard about four shots, grabbed her children and ran inside. The victim’s aunt said she saw three people running toward a nearby train station right after the shooting. Police say they do not believe the 9-year-old was the intended target, and no arrests have been made.
Commissioner Touts Progress Hours Before Gunfire
Just hours before the boy was shot, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch appeared at the 73rd Precinct to highlight the NYPD’s work on gun violence. "As the result of our crime-fighting strategies, shooting incidents this year are down 25% compared to 2024 and 40% compared to 2023," Tisch said. Officials also noted that the department had seized more than 1,000 guns since January, including roughly 300 in Brooklyn, according to CBS New York.
Citywide Trends Offer Broader Backdrop
City officials have pointed to multi-year drops in shootings across New York City. A January transcript from the Mayor’s Office states that 2025 produced historic lows for shooting incidents and victims citywide, with Brooklyn also reporting declines. As outlined in the Mayor's Office, officials credited focused enforcement and prevention work for some of those reductions.
Neighbors Shaken as Police Seek Leads
The shooting left neighbors shaken on a block some residents described as usually quiet, with several saying they rarely hear gunfire in the area. Police are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with information to contact local authorities so detectives can follow up on leads.
