Two Men Charged With Attempted Murder In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY— Two Coney Island men face attempted murder charges in connection with a July 4 shooting that wounded eight people, including four children, and killed a 10-week-old puppy belonging to the youngest victim, prosecutors said.

The Brooklyn district attorney’s office identified the defendants as Robert Smith, 44, and Kevin Blunt, 44. Both men live in Coney Island.

The shooting erupted around 10:30 p.m. during a family barbecue in the courtyard of a residential building near Surf Avenue and West 30th Street, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors allege Smith tried to fire into the crowd, but his gun jammed.

Blunt then allegedly helped clear the weapon, allowing Smith to fire about 15 shots into the gathering, according to the Brooklyn DA’s Office.

Four boys — ages 6, 7, 12 and 14 — and four adults, ages 21, 25, 33 and 37, suffered gunshot wounds.

The 21-year-old woman initially remained in critical condition while the other victims were listed in stable condition, the report stated.

Prosecutors said Sky, a 10-week-old puppy, was struck in the head and killed during the shooting.

The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Smith on July 8, according to prosecutors.

Authorities later arrested Blunt.

A Brooklyn grand jury indicted the men on 88 counts, including multiple counts of attempted murder, assault, criminal possession and use of a firearm, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez described the alleged attack as “a barrage of gunfire into a courtyard packed with families celebrating the Fourth of July.”

“The fact that no person was killed is extraordinary, but it does not diminish the alleged recklessness and brutality of this attack,” Gonzalez said.

Smith was arraigned Wednesday and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14.

Blunt was arraigned Aug. 3 and is scheduled to return Aug. 19.

A judge ordered both men held without bail.