Police Investigate Shootings In Brooklyn, Manhattan As Weekend Gun Violence Continues Into Workweek
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It has been a violent and deadly weekend for New York City.
The NYPD says seven people were killed and 51 injured in shootings since Friday.
President Donald Trump is hinting at possible federal intervention.
As CBS2's John Dias reports, the weekend of gun violence spilled into the workweek Monday morning when four men were shot in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.
It happened at the corner of Atlantic and Williams Avenues around 2:15 a.m., CBS2's John Dias reported.
As of 6 a.m. Monday, police still had that area blocked off. All four victims were hit in the leg and are expected to be OK.
Surveillance video shows the moments before the shooting and bullet holes in cars illustrate the aftermath.
"Neighborhoods are getting more dangerous that they ever were," said Marimar Jarquin.
Two hours later, another man was shot on the Upper West Side.
A 29-year-old man was shot during an attempted robbery on West 93rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, according to police.
That victim is expected to be OK, too.
Upper West Side Shooting:
Amid the spike in shootings and fears related to hotels housing emotionally disturbed homeless people, the unarmed and all-volunteer Guardian Angels deployed 60 members to the Upper West Side.
"When we first arrived 10 days ago, it was complete chaos," said Curtis Sliwa, the group's founder. "The cops are not responding, they're not coming. You gotta take matters into your own hands."
RELATED STORY: Following More Shootings, Brooklyn Borough President Adams Calls For Tri-State Gun Task Force
CBS2 saw neighbors thanking the group, but others worry it creates the possibility for more conflict because there is no agency holding them accountable.
"I'm really worried that by introducing civilian vigilante groups into the neighborhood, we actually make the neighborhood much more dangerous," said Melissa Sanchez, an Upper West Side resident.
Violent Crime Wave In Crown Heights, Brooklyn:
Among the other victims of this weekend's spike in shootings is Paul Pinkney, 47, a father of two. Pinkney was shot in Prospect Park around 2 a.m. Sunday, after lighting a candle for a neighbor who was gunned down days earlier.
MORE: NYPD Investigates Dozens Of Shootings During What Was An Extremely Violent Weekend
Another victim was correction officer John Jeff, 28, who was shot dead in Queens.
In another incident, police said a suspect - caught on surveillance video - shot and wounded a 40-year-old man on a subway platform at Grand Central Station on Saturday. Early Monday morning, the NYPD said they arrested Tearance Crumpty, 26, of Queens, and charged him with attempted murder and assault.
"I think people are out of their minds and it's just very scary nowadays. Like, you don't even want to come outside," said Canarsie resident Charles James.
A nurse is one of the people afraid to just walk to work.
"I work the midnight shift and it's dangerous," said nurse Johanna Vincent.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter Sunday night, saying if Mayor Bill de Blasio can not get a handle on all this gun violence, the federal government will.
Monday the mayor offered his response.
"The president blusters and the president tries to draw attention to himself and rarely has much to back it up," de Blasio said.
De Blasio said he has faith in the NYPD to keep New Yorkers safe.
"We are dealing with a perfect storm. I keep telling everyone, I think everyday New Yorkers understand it. We have been put through hell in this city. Everything fell apart simultaneously because of the coronavirus," de Blasio said.
The mayor says once courts can safely reopen, things will simmer down.
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