A violent outburst inside a crowded Brooklyn nightclub left three people dead and nine others wounded early Sunday morning, shattering a period of record-low gun violence in the city, officials said.

The incident occurred just before 3:30 a.m. at the Taste of the City lounge, located at 903 Franklin avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood. according to the New York police department, a dispute inside the venue escalated, leading multiple shooters to open fire. investigators discovered at least 42 shell casings from 9 mm and .45-caliber weapons at the chaotic scene and recovered a firearm nearby. authorities have stated they suspect the incident is gang-related.

The victims included eight men and three women, with ages ranging from 19 to 61. a 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. two other men, aged 27 and 35, later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. the nine surviving victims are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

In a press conference, mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would activate its mass shooting plan, which mobilizes crisis management teams to the area to provide support and prevent potential retaliation. "we're going to use all of our assets to have a comprehensive response to this," Adams said, emphasizing the city's commitment to removing illegal guns from the streets.

This shooting comes as a grim counterpoint to the city's overall progress on public safety. official statistics show that New York city recorded its lowest number of shootings on record for the first seven months of 2025. despite this trend, the Crown Heights tragedy and another recent deadly mass shooting in Manhattan have raised concerns among city officials.

NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch acknowledged the rarity of such an event this year but assured the public of a thorough investigation. "this is a horrific event," Tisch said. "it's a terrible, bloody scene, but i want to assure New Yorkers that we are throwing every possible resource at it."

The NYPD is actively investigating the shooting and has not yet announced any arrests. authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation.