A woman was shot at Washington Ave. and Empire Blvd. and two more people were shot a block away at Flatbush Ave. and Empire Blvd., police said. According to a CNN report, Gabay, a 43-year-old lawyer was fatally struck in the head by a stray bullet during a gunfight between rival gangs. Traditionally held largely in the dark, this year’s celebration was being illuminated by 200 light towers.
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The J’Ouvert parade 2016 marked the first time that organizers of the parade were mandated to get a permit.
The West Indian carnival dates back to 1920s Harlem before it moved to the central Brooklyn area in the mid 60s, when plenty of immigrants started coming into the USA from Jamaica, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago.
Police, in conjunction with community groups, also distributed fliers with a blunt message. “They’re not about the fun anymore”.
An internet blog called “Thee Rant” mocked the security at J’Ouvert festival and asked people to “place your bets gentlemen, the mayhem is about to start”.
The name, J’ouvert, means daybreak, put together from the French words “jour” and “ouvert”. The event is often marred by violence.
“This is the ultimate expression of their heritage and their culture, ” Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said at a news conference last week.
“This year, we believe, will be the safest in the history of both events”, he said.
The NYPD said that twice as many officers were added to this year’s festivities.
Two people are dead and at least four others are injured as violence erupted along the bustling parade route during the J’Ouvert celebration in Brooklyn early Monday morning, despite a heightened police presence, PIX11 reported.
The shootings happened during J’ouvert, a carnival celebrating Caribbean culture held before dawn each Labor Day.
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In 2012, nearly two dozen police officers and city employees were punished after making racist comments on social media implying that parade attendees couldn’t control themselves.
