A tragic mass shooting occurred at the Taste of the City Lounge, a hookah lounge and restaurant located on Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The incident took place just before 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 17th, when multiple gunmen opened fire inside the crowded venue following a dispute.
Authorities discovered 11 gunshot victims—three men were pronounced dead either at the scene or shortly thereafter (aged approximately 27, 35, and a third whose age was not immediately known), while eight others—five men and three women ranging in age from 27 to 61—were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The NYPD confirmed that multiple shooters were involved, recovering at least 36 shell casings inside the lounge. A firearm was located nearby, though investigators are still determining if it was used in the shooting. No suspects have been identified or arrested as of yet.
Despite this violent outburst, Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as a rare anomaly, underscoring that NYC has seen historically low shooting rates so far this year.
The lounge itself has a troubled history, having previously been the site of a non-fatal shooting in November 2024.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are reviewing surveillance footage and appealing to the public for any information that may lead to the identification and arrest of those responsible.
