Breaking: Street Brawl May Have Sparked Helicopter Search Over Sheepshead Bay

FINAL UPDATE (11:00 p.m.): The incident related to an assault on Avenue Z between East 21st Street and East 22nd Street. All involved have been taken into custody. You can read the full story here.

Original post:

Beginning at 9:30 p.m., we’ve been receiving numerous reports of helicopters hovering over various parts of Sheepshead Bay, specifically around Bedford Avenue. We’ve heard several choppers and police cars were near Voorhies Avenue and Bedford, then further up Bedford. Within 20 minutes, we received several other reports that at least five helicopters were in the sky over Avenue U near Bedford Avenue.

We do not yet have any information on what’s going on, but we’re trying to find out. If you have any information, please send an e-mail or leave it in the comments.

UPDATE (10:08 p.m.): The following message was left by a reader on our Facebook wall:

something big happening right now on East 24th right off Voorhies. Helicopters overhead, and just about every unmarked and marked police car and offices with guns drawn. Anyone have any other info?

Another reader wrote:

A lot of aerial police activity over 26th st btwn Y and Z. Not sure what it is about but they are clearly looking for someone.

UPDATE (10:10 p.m.): Another reader with their ear to police scanners says “it seems like they have transported 4 people already.” We’re still working to find out the story.

UPDATE (10:19 p.m.): The helicopters were apparently flying very low with spotlights on. Still no word from the NYPD, and no one with knowledge of the situation has stepped forward.

UPDATE (10:23 p.m.): It appears it all may have stemmed from a street fight. Reader nolastname writes in:

I was told there was a street fight and the helicopters were looking for the suspects (possibly 2 or 3, I was told by people on the scene).First was a regular PD heli, then they brought in the big boy and scanned roofs any yards. I heard one officer say something about Nostrand Ave before they all left.

pics are Z/23…..1 is E23 bet Z and Vhoories, the police were searching backyards.

UPDATE (10:31 p.m.): Another reader just sent in this report:

Big police action, cops were running into everyones property, raiding backyards, breaking open sheds on their search for someone.  Heard a couple of gunshots, but not 100% sure. Heard people talking on East 24th Street and Avenue Z that someone had been shot and taken in an ambulance. Again, not 100% sure of that truthfulness either.  Helicopters looming very low to the ground with their spotlights on everyones homes.

We have not yet confirmed gun shots, and we remind readers to take all reports with a grain of salt until they have been confirmed by authorities.