A father and son were shot dead in Brooklyn on Tuesday after an argument over noise with a neighbor, police said.
The victims, identified as 45-year-old David Fernandez and his 23-year-old son David Jr., were standing in front of their home on 18th Avenue in the Ditmas Park neighborhood when they were approached by their neighbor, 50-year-old Kevin Smith.
According to witnesses, the two men began arguing about noise coming from the Fernandez’s home.
Smith then pulled out a gun and shot David Sr. and David Jr. multiple times.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Ditmas Park community, which is known for its quiet streets and family-friendly atmosphere.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” said local resident Sarah Johnson. “I can’t believe that something like this would happen in our neighborhood.”
“My thoughts are with the Fernandez family,” said another resident, Michael Brown. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through right now.”
The shooting is the latest in a string of gun violence incidents in New York City.
In 2022, there were over 1,600 shootings in the city, resulting in over 400 deaths.
The shooting has also sparked renewed calls for gun control measures.
“We need to do something about gun violence in this city,” said City Council Member Brad Lander. “We can’t keep living like this.”
“We need to take guns off the streets and make our communities safe,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We need to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.“
The shooting is a reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence.
It is also a reminder of the importance of community and coming together to support those who have been affected by tragedy.
