Police responded to a 911 call around 3:30 a.m. Saturday on the 2400 block of Nostrand Avenue in Midwood and found the 4-year-old boy unconscious and unresponsive in the courtyard of a building.
The child, identified as Shimron Smith, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Officials said 20-year-old Shawn Smith, the victim's brother, has been charged with murder. Police say he admitted to throwing the boy off of the roof.
20-year-old Shawn Smith charged with murder after he allegedly tossed his 4-year-old brother from a Brooklyn building. Cops say he admitted throwing him off roof. Relatives say he suffers from schizophrenia. When asked if he meant to hurt his brother he responded “not really.” pic.twitter.com/HQImk63xa1
— CeFaan Kim (@CeFaanKim) September 29, 2018
The victim and suspect's cousin told Eyewitness News that Shawn Smith suffers from mental illness and was previously hospitalized and treated for schizophrenia.
An investigation remains ongoing.
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