Boy, 13, stabbed in Brooklyn Bridge Park amid huge crowds, fights

A 13-year-old boy was stabbed in Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday afternoon amid chaotic scenes as hundreds of teenagers gathered in the area. The incident occurred just before 6 p.m. near Quay Tower, where police reported that the boy was stabbed three times in the back. He was taken to Maimonides Hospital and is currently in stable condition, but no arrests had been made by late Sunday.

Following the stabbing, law enforcement quickly responded and ordered the dispersal of the teens, closing Pier 2 for the day. The situation escalated on nearby streets where some teens caused disorder, jumping on parked cars and throwing objects at passing vehicles. One family's car was attacked as they were driving to the park, leaving the children visibly traumatized but physically unharmed.

The chaotic atmosphere prompted a strong response from the NYPD and FDNY, with numerous vehicles and even a helicopter deployed to the scene. Witnesses described the crowds as overwhelming, with some observers questioning the level of police presence in the park given the behavior of the teenagers. Reports of rowdy behavior had already prompted several local residents to call 911 throughout the afternoon.

Social media captured footage of the pandemonium, showing large groups of young people running wildly. Brooklyn Bridge Park's spokesperson confirmed that they had been monitoring social media for expected large crowds and had contacted the local precinct to manage the situation. However, they were unaware of the stabbing and property damage that occurred during the tumult.

Councilmember Lincoln Restler expressed concern over the incident, noting that large gatherings often lead to issues during the first warm days of the year. He emphasized the need for better crowd management strategies and an increased police presence to ensure safety in the park. Although the issues in the park are seasonal, the unseasonably warm weather on that day may have contributed to the chaos.