FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 18, 2019
Brooklyn Man Indicted for Mass Shooting During
Old Timers Day Celebration in Brownsville Park
Defendant Allegedly Triggered a Gun Battle, Which Left One Dead, 11 Others
Shot and Wounded
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, assault and reckless endangerment for fatally shooting a man during the Old Timers Day celebration in Brownsville. The shooting ignited an exchange of gun fire between rival groups which left 11 innocent bystanders shot and wounded.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “A beloved community celebration held peacefully and joyously became chaotic and tragic when this defendant allegedly opened fire in the middle of a crowd. Senseless gun violence that puts innocent people in harm’s way has destroyed too many lives and will not be tolerated in Brooklyn. We will now seek to bring justice to all of the people who were impacted by this defendant’s brazen conduct.”
The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kyle Williams, 20, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two-counts of second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree reckless endangerment. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on January 15, 2020. The defendant faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 27, 2019, at approximately 11 p.m., in the Brownsville Playground, on Hegeman Avenue and Sackman Street, the defendant allegedly confronted Jason Pagan, 38, during Old Timers Day, an annual neighborhood celebration where more than 500 community members were gathered.
Following a verbal dispute, the defendant allegedly pulled out a gun and fatally shot Pagan in the head and torso. A shootout between rival groups then erupted during which 11 innocent people, caught in the crossfire, were shot and wounded.
The defendant was arrested on October 16, 2019, after investigators received tips from members of the community. Multiple eyewitnesses identified the defendant as the initial shooter. In addition, police recovered the gun the defendant allegedly used during the fatal shooting and obtained an admission from the defendant while he was in custody.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Howard L. Jackson, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette, also of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Bureau Chief.
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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.