Man Shot At Church Avenue & E. 18th Street Early Tuesday Morning

Anna Gustafson -

There was quite a bit of police activity in the neighborhood last night, including a shooting at Church Avenue and E. 18th Street and neighbors reporting an NYPD helicopter circling around E. 21st Street, between Ditmas and Newkirk Avenues.

A man, whose age wasn’t given by the police, was shot a little before 1am Tuesday morning, the NYPD said. He was rushed to the hospital and is now in stable condition, police told us this morning.

Neighbors around that area told us they heard five to seven gunshots around that time.

“I was getting ready for bed when I heard a bunch of shots, probably five or six, maybe more,” said neighbor Alexandra, who lives close to the intersection. “Everyone ran out, but I never saw the shooter. It’s scary; I know there can be crime around here but I live here with my kids.”

Another neighbor, Jose, said he too heard the series of gunshots.

Police have ramped up enforcement around the Parade Ground, including placing a temporary watchtower there in May.

“It’s getting bad around here, and it’s not even summer,” Jose said. “I’ve heard a lot of gunshots around here, but not usually on Church; it’s more around the Parade Grounds.”

Police sources have told us recently there have been increasing problems in the Parade Ground as of late. Less than one month ago, a 14-year-old boy was arrested in the shootings of a 38-year-old woman and 14-year-old girl at Parade Place and Crooke Avenue, right by the Parade Ground.

In light of an uptick in crime in that area, the 70th Precinct is permanently stationing officers at the Parade Ground this summer. The NYPD also placed a temporary watchtower across the street from the Parade Ground last month, which has since been removed.

A number of neighbors also reported that an NYPD helicopter was circling the area around E. 21st Street, between Ditmas and Newkirk Avenues Monday night. Neighbor Ian told us via Twitter that police rode up with him in his building’s elevator around 9:49pm.

When we inquired about police activity in that area, the NYPD said they didn’t have anything reported in that immediate vicinity.

About a mile away, at 1421 Brooklyn Avenue, by Foster Avenue, one man was shot Monday night, the NYPD said. The individual was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to police.

We will update this as soon as we find out any more information about these incidents.