Overview
- A masked gunman opened fire into a residential courtyard during a family barbecue on Saturday, July 4, injuring eight people and prompting a major NYPD investigation.
- Authorities recovered a TEC-9–style firearm with an extended magazine and about 10 shell casings at the scene.
- Police arrested 44-year-old Robert Smith on Wednesday and charged him with multiple counts of attempted murder; he remains in custody pending arraignment.
- Victims include four children ages 6, 7, 12 and 14 and four adults; one 21-year-old woman was reported in critical condition and the other victims are stable or expected to recover.
- Community leaders held vigils and pressed for action while investigators pursue forensic and surveillance leads, seek public tips, and probe a possible connection to a recent gang-related killing on the same block.