A 36-year-old man was shot outside a Harlem church on Saturday morning while police believe he was there for his brother's funeral, turning a solemn goodbye into a crime scene on West 140th Street.
The shooting happened around 9:30 a.m. across from New Mount Zion Baptist Church, police said. The man was hit while standing on the sidewalk opposite the church and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, according to ABC7 New York.
Investigators said they do not yet know who pulled the trigger or whether the gunfire was connected in any way to the brother's death, ABC7 New York reported.
Anti-violence and wellness events were nearby
Adding to the surreal scene, police told reporters that an anti-violence event was underway just down the street at the time of the shooting, a jarring contrast to the kind of outreach that typically defines weekend mornings in the area.
For additional context, Patch listed a Harlem Wellness Fest at Marcus Garvey Park on May 30, part of a loose calendar of community gatherings that aim to promote health and peace across the neighborhood.
NYPD: Investigation active, witnesses sought
Detectives are canvassing the block and reviewing any available surveillance footage as they work to piece together what happened, authorities told ABC7 New York.
No arrests had been announced as of early Sunday, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The shooting has left neighbors rattled on a weekend that was supposed to highlight community wellness and outreach instead of fresh bloodshed.
