Robert Smith, a 44-year-old, was identified as the masked gunman responsible for the mass shooting at a family’s Fourth of July barbecue party in Coney Island, New York City, on Saturday. Eight people were injured in the incident.
The New York Police Department confirmed Robert Smith’s identity on Wednesday, July 8 noting that he faces multiple counts of attempt to murder charges, the NYPD said in a post on X.
As of now, the motive of the shooting remains unclear as the NYPD has not revealed any additional details regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
The NYPD had said earlier that there was no exchange of words between Robert Smith and the family that fell victim to the mass shooting. It is also unclear if they knew each other.
The NYPD said that they are investigating a possible gang connection with a possibility that a shooting that took place on the same block last week. But no link has been confirmed, so far.
Coney Island Mass Shooting: Here’s What Happened Saturday
A family in NYC’s Coney Island was celebrating the Fourth of July weekend with a barbecue party in their courtyard when the suspect, Robert Smith, barged in. Smith was wearing a ski mask and he walked up to the fence of the courtyard, which lies on Surf Avenue, and opened fire around 10:40pm. It left eight people at the barbecue injured, including critical injuries to a 21-year-old woman was shot in the chest.
Additionally, a 47‑year‑old man, a 33‑year‑old man and a 25‑year‑old woman were among the other adult victims. Apart from that, four children, a 14‑year‑old boy, a 12‑year‑old boy, a 7‑year‑old boy and a 6‑year‑old boy. Everyone except the critically injured 21-year-old woman is in stable condition, even though the impact of the injuries could be long-term.
Following the shooting, Smith allegedly fled on foot southbound on West 30th Street.
This story is being updated.
