Two Brooklyn men are facing attempted murder charges after a July 4 mass shooting in Coney Island wounded eight people — four of them children — and killed a puppy belonging to the youngest victim.
The Brooklyn district attorney’s office identified the men as Robert Smith, 44, and Kevin Blunt, 44, both Coney Island residents. Their attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The pair stand accused in connection with the shooting at a family barbecue in the courtyard of a residential building near Surf Avenue and West 30th Street around 10:30 p.m. on July 4.
The Brooklyn DA’s office said Smith attempted to open fire on the crowd, but the gun appeared to jam. Prosecutors allege Blunt then helped clear the gun, allowing Smith to fire about 15 shots into the gathering.
Four boys, ages 6, 7, 12 and 14, and four adults, ages 21, 25, 33 and 37, were struck, authorities have said.
All eight were taken to hospitals. The 21-year-old woman was initially listed in critical condition, while the remaining victims were in stable condition, according to prosecutors.
The youngest victim’s 10-week-old puppy, Sky, was shot in the head and killed, prosecutors said.
The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Smith on July 8 and later apprehended Blunt, according to prosecutors.
The pair face multiple charges of attempted murder, assault, criminal use and possession of a firearm and endangering the welfare of a child in an 88-count indictment.
Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez described the shooting as “a barrage of gunfire into a courtyard packed with families celebrating the Fourth of July.”
“The fact that no person was killed is extraordinary, but it does not diminish the alleged recklessness and brutality of this attack,” he said. “We will now seek to hold both defendants fully accountable for the devastation they are accused of causing.”
Smith, who was arraigned Wednesday, is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14. Blunt, who was arraigned Aug. 3, is due back in court Aug. 19.
Both men were ordered held without bail.