Carey Gabay, Cuomo Staffer Shot in Brooklyn, Declared Brain Dead

By SIMONE WILSON (Patch Staff)

Carey Gabay, a 43-year-old legal counsel to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who was shot in the head during Labor Day festivities in Brooklyn, has been declared brain dead, his family announced in a statement Wednesday.

“There are difficult decisions we will face in the coming hours and days as our family struggles to process what this means for us. We ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time,” the family said.

“Today we are all incredibly saddened by the news from Carey Gabay’s family,” Gov. Cuomo said in his own statement. “I ask that all New Yorkers please join me in keeping both Carey and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Gabay, a Clinton Hill resident and soon-to-be father, was shot in the head on Sept. 7 during pre-parties for the annual West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn.

Police believe Gabay was randomly caught in cross-gang gunfire on Bedford Avenue and Sullivan Place, near Prospect Park, around 3:40 a.m.

“We have recovered a firearm,” NYPD Assistant Chief Patrick Conry said at a news conference. ”Based on ballistics evidence recovered, it appears that there were two groups of people shooting back and forth at each other.”

Police also believe they have a suspect. Last week, they released a sketch of a man seen fleeing the scene of the crime — as well as a video of two armed men running into a nearby building.

Police and politicians have put up a $12,500 reward for information on Gabay’s shooting.

Gabay has been in a coma at Kings County Hospital “surrounded by his loved ones” ever since the shooting.

“Our family is thankful for the outpouring of prayers that we’ve received in the aftermath of this senseless violence,” his family said in a previous statement, before he was declared brain dead. “Carey has always been an inspiration to all of us and he continues to inspire us with his fight for survival.”

Gabay was appointed first deputy counsel of Empire State Development, the governor’s economic development agency, in January.

“Carey is an outstanding public servant who joined our administration in 2011,” Cuomo said in the hours after the shooting. “He is a Harvard-educated lawyer who works for the State because he wants to give back to others and make a difference.”

The violence against Gabay was among at least three shootings along the parade route in the wee hours of Labor Day, in which four people were injured (including Gabay) and one young man was killed.

“This tragic shooting — this one by another seemingly random bullet — is the latest heartbreaking reminder that the crime of gun violence must stop,” Cuomo said. “Enough young, innocent people have died, and it must stop now.”

SCREENSHOT: via NDN