New York, US: A violent night shook Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, late Thursday when 20-year-old twin brothers were gunned down in a sudden burst of gunfire, leaving one dead and the other critically injured. The shooting has left the tight-knit community reeling and police scrambling for answers.
Twin Brothers Targeted
Authorities say the victims, identical twins who had just turned 20 earlier this year, were standing near the intersection of Hemlock Street and Fulton Street around 10:30 p.m. when the suspects opened fire. Multiple gunshots rang out, striking both brothers before they could flee to safety.
Emergency medical teams rushed to the scene within minutes. One of the twins, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other, wounded in the torso and leg, remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
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Community Shock and Grief
The sudden attack has devastated family members and friends, who gathered outside the crime scene late into the night. Neighbors described the twins as inseparable, often seen together in the neighborhood parks and stores.
“They were just kids, barely starting their lives,” said one longtime resident, visibly distraught. “To have something like this happen right outside our doorstep is heartbreaking.”
Police Investigation Ongoing
Detectives from the NYPD’s 75th Precinct are leading the investigation. While officials have not released a motive, sources say detectives are looking into whether the attack may have been part of a brewing dispute or a case of mistaken identity.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and doorbell cameras is being reviewed to identify the suspect or suspects, who reportedly fled the scene on foot. No arrests had been made as of Friday morning.
A Familiar Story of Violence
The shooting highlights the persistent battle against gun violence in Brooklyn neighborhoods. Cypress Hills, though quieter than some surrounding areas, has witnessed a troubling rise in shootings over the past year. Local leaders and activists are once again calling for stronger community support systems, youth programs, and gun violence prevention initiatives.
“This tragedy underscores the urgency of addressing gun violence at its root,” said a community advocate. “These young men had their entire futures ahead of them. Families should not have to live in fear of losing their loved ones this way.”
Family Pleads for Justice
The twins’ family, now coping with unimaginable loss, has called for justice and urged anyone with information to come forward. “If you know anything, say something,” a relative pleaded outside the scene. “We can’t bring back what we’ve lost, but we need answers.”
A Neighborhood in Mourning
By dawn, makeshift memorials of flowers and candles had begun appearing on the sidewalk where the twins were struck down. Neighbors young and old gathered in small groups, sharing stories, tears, and prayers for the surviving brother’s recovery.
As police continue their search for the shooter, residents of Cypress Hills are left to cope with the senseless loss of a young life and the haunting reminder that twin brothers, who once shared everything, are now separated forever—one in life, the other in death.
