Eight people, including four children, were injured in a shooting at a family barbecue in Coney Island late Saturday, New York police said. The incident occurred around 10:35 p.m. in the courtyard of an apartment tower on West 30th Street near Surf Avenue, during Fourth of July celebrations accompanied by fireworks.

The shooter, wearing all black and a ski mask, reportedly approached the fence surrounding the courtyard before opening fire, police stated. A TEC-9 firearm was recovered at the scene, but no arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

Among the victims is a 21-year-old woman who was critically wounded with a gunshot to the chest and is currently on life support in a coma, according to her family. Seven others sustained gunshot wounds and are expected to survive. The injured include a 6-year-old boy shot in the stomach, a 7-year-old boy shot in both legs, a 12-year-old boy hit in the leg, a 14-year-old boy wounded in the thigh, a 25-year-old woman with a leg injury, a 33-year-old man shot in the chest, and a 37-year-old man wounded in the shoulder.

The family described the shooting as unexpected and devastating. Dejahn Williams, the 22-year-old brother of the critical victim, recounted the chaotic scene as people were caught off guard by the gunfire amidst the holiday fireworks. “Everybody just got down. We see blood going everywhere. People got hit,” Williams said. He added that his primary concern was for the children present at the barbecue.

The victim’s grandmother expressed concern over the severity of the injuries, particularly noting that one of the young boys might face the possibility of losing his legs. She described the event as a celebration turned tragedy, emphasizing that it was a family gathering meant for the holiday.

Tiffany, the mother of the woman in critical condition, was serving food at the gathering when the shooting erupted. She stated she initially did not realize the sounds were gunfire due to the fireworks and described the ensuing panic as people fell and scattered.

This shooting took place just two blocks from the site where drill rapper Truron Roach-Martin, also known as Briscoe, was fatally shot earlier that week. New York police Commissioner Keechant Sewell characterized that incident as gang-related and said investigators are examining possible links between the two shootings.

Authorities continue to search for the suspect, urging anyone with information to come forward as the city grapples with a surge in gun violence during the holiday weekend.