Three shot, five stabbed near Brooklyn's West Indian Carnival Parade

Three people were shot and five stabbed near the 59th West Indian American Day Carnival Parade in Brooklyn on Monday. All shooting victims are expected to survive.

Shootings and stabbings cast shadow over Brooklyn's Caribbean carnival

Three people were shot and five stabbed near Monday's West Indian American Day Carnival Parade in Brooklyn, the Jamaica Observer reports, marring what was otherwise a vibrant 59th edition of North America's largest Caribbean carnival procession.

The New York Police Department confirmed that a man was shot on St John's Place in Crown Heights less than two hours before the parade ended. A suspect was arrested in connection with that incident. A woman and a 19-year-old man were also shot near Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue; the suspects in that case fled the scene. Police said all three shooting victims were expected to survive.

Five additional people were stabbed near the parade route earlier in the day.

The violence occurred despite heightened security deployed along Eastern Parkway, where tens of thousands of masqueraders and revellers had gathered for the annual event.

Participants in colourful costumes danced to soca, calypso, zouk and other Caribbean music along the 3½-mile route from Buffalo Avenue to Grand Army Plaza. More than 20 adult bands took part, including Sesame Flyers Carnival, Branches Mas, I Am Caribbeing, Rendezvous Mas, Suga Candy Mas and D'Midas International NYC.

Grand marshals included labour leader Shaun Francois, Trinidadian-born health executive Julian John, Grenadian-born publisher Herman Hall, Sesame Flyers International and former steel orchestra owner Clyde Durant. Reggae singer Buju Banton and Kes the Band frontman Kees Dieffenthaller served as honorary grand marshals.

This year's parade, held under the theme "New York Carnival 2026: M.A.S. — Music. Action. Soul.", culminated a week of events organised by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, including concerts, Junior Carnival, Panorama and a brunch fete. The parade was preceded by Caribbean J'Ouvert, organised by J'Ouvert City International.

Source: Jamaica Observer