When firefighters arrived at the 800 block of Gates Avenue around 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, they could see smoke in the apartment. They rushed inside and found 24-year-old Kassim Mitchell shot in the head. Mitchell died later at the hospital.
Investigators suspect the fire may have been started to cover up a murder.
Firefighters contained the fire to the apartment, and the fire was out within 15 minutes.
In the back of the building, police officers found a 38-year-old man who had been shot in the shoulder and stomach. The man was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.
Investigators have not indicated if the two shootings are connected, but neighbors say the shootings are not a coincidence. They believe the victims were targeted, and with the shooter on the loose, it is very concerning.
"There was a stabbing up on Broadway about a month ago," says Matt O'Brien, "a shooting last week, another shooting today – this area is getting worse and worse."
