Four people were stabbed early Monday morning as crowds began gathering for the West Indian American Day parade in Brooklyn, police said.
The violence unfolded around Carroll and President streets and along Utica Avenue, where people were gathering for the annual celebration featuring music, food and festivities.
According to the NYPD, a 32-year-old man was stabbed in the neck around 5:45 a.m. He remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday afternoon.
A 23-year-old man was also stabbed in the neck, while a 36-year-old man was stabbed in the face. Both went to the hospital and were listed in stable condition.
A fourth victim, a 20-year-old man, was slashed in the chin and was also hospitalized in stable condition.
Witnesses told NY1 they saw a large crowd and what appeared to be a fight forming.
“A lot of people were running, you know, and then you see someone on the floor,” said Robin Mariott. “The cops were right here. They were trying to break up the fight.”
The parade has been marred by violence in previous years. Several people were shot in four separate incidents during last year’s festival.
City officials outlined enhanced security measures ahead of this year’s celebration, including ending the parade 30 minutes earlier and deploying thousands of officers in and around the parade grounds. Police also monitored the area from the ground and by helicopter.
“NYPD was visible, so for something like that to happen, the unfortunate situation,” said Constantine Jean-Pierre.
Investigators remained at the scene for hours after the stabbings as they worked to determine what led to the violence.
No arrests have been made.