19-Year-Old Ethan Holder, Elementary School Staffer, Shot in Brooklyn

On October 11th, 19-year-old teacher’s assistant Ethan Holder was shot. Holder, a substitute paraprofessional at Southern Brooklyn school P.S 203 Floyd Bennet, was shot soon after the school day had ended. According to the NYPost, Holder was walking near Utica Avenue and Avenue M in the Flatlands when he was shot at in what appears to be a targeted shooting.

The victim of the crime was allegedly hit by a single bullet, suffering an injury to the head. According to officials, Holder was initially admitted to Brookdale Hospital in critical condition. He was then declared brain-dead before being pronounced dead.

According to the police, the shooting was carried out by Javier Oates. Initially, the shooter’s identity was unknown but he was described as predominantly dressed in red clothes and a ski mask. After the shooting, Oates hopped into a dark-colored Lexus which sped away from the scene of the crime. Police claim the shooting was targeted because of its timing. It occurred around 2:50 pm, minutes after the school day had ended. Oates was arrested in Brooklyn and will be facing charges of murder, criminal possession, and use of a firearm.

Still on the News…

“I am absolutely heartbroken and outraged that one of our dedicated employees was senselessly made victim to random gun violence in southern Brooklyn this afternoon,” tweeted City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks. “Our educators, our students, and our families deserve better than living with the threat of gun violence.”

“I am in contact with the school’s principal and will ensure that the students have the counseling services they need as they grapple with this tragedy and will be working with the NYPD to increase security around the school,” he added.

Mercedes Narcisse, an NYC Council Member lamented the gun violence taking place in her district. “It’s sad because as a city council member, you don’t want these things happening in your community. You don’t want it to happen in the city. You don’t want it to happen at all,” she told The Post. Narcisse also lamented that the crime took place close to and would affect students of an elementary school. “It’s not a junior high or high school where the kids can understand what’s going on,” Narcisse said. “It’s just so sad. I mean the school is doing all the extracurricular activities trying to get the kids on the right track and this is it?” she added.