2 teens killed, 8 homicides Sunday as New York City shooting surge continues
CYPRESS HILLS, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Two innocent teenagers have died after another bloody weekend in New York City amid the surge in shootings across the five boroughs, with seven homicides on Sunday alone.
The drive-by shooting in Brooklyn happened while the victims were playing basketball in the Cypress Hills section.
The shooting happened at the George Walker Jr. Park on Vermont Street just before 6:40 p.m. when a dark colored SUV drove up, and one or more persons opened fire from the sunroof.
Police released surveillance video of the late model Honda CRV sought in the case.
A 16-year-old was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as Kleimer Mendez of Brooklyn.
An 18-year-old was also shot in the head and taken to Kings County Hospital where he died on Monday. He was identified as Antonio Villa of Queens.
The third victim, a 17-year-old, suffered a gunshot wound in the leg and went to Brookdale Hospital in stable condition.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said the criminal justice system is not working.
"It's going to take all different parts," he said. "It's going to take prosecutors, courts, people participating in the system coming forward as witnesses. When you receive that summons to take part in the grand jury process. We have to get our hands around what is going on right now."
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city is facing a "perfect storm."
"We know there has been an uptick in shootings in recent weeks, we know there has been a real problem with violence that must be addressed," he said. "The best way to address it is with communities. You see all over the city, community members stepping forward, elected officials, clergy, Cure Violence movement and crisis management system, a whole host of people and organizations occupying the corners, taking back the neighborhood, making clear that violence will not be acceptable."
The mayor reiterated that the city's court system must fully reopen.
"There's a huge backlog when it comes to cases involving violent crime," he said. "Only 50% of firearms charges have even gotten to the (stage) of indictment."
De Blasio said he sent a letter to the five district attorneys, and the chief judge vowing to help in any way he can
"I've sent this letter, this morning, to the chief judge, the five district attorneys, saying let's all work together let's get this right," he said. "What can the city of New York do to help each of you and all of your colleagues to get this right?"
Related: 2 fatally shot in same Brooklyn neighborhood just hours apart
Officials say murders are up 24% across the city this year, with 212 slayings as of July 19 compared to 171 in the same time frame last year.
Shooting are up 69%, with 854 victims in 698 shootings as of July 19, compared to 481 victims in 414 shootings through the same time frame last year.
Other shootings Sunday included the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Shaka Ifill outside a home in Woodhaven.
Detectives are looking for his girlfriend's mother for questioning.
There was also a double shooting with one dead in the Bronx, a shooting on Staten Island, and a shooting Sunday night in Flatbush.
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