A gunman who opened fire during a July 4 family cookout on Coney Island “aimed for babies,” the mother of one victim told The Post, as investigators looked into whether the attack may have been connected to gang activity.
Police are continuing to search for the black-clad shooter behind the Saturday night attack, which wounded eight people — including four children — and left a family celebration shattered.
“They just didn’t care,” said Tiffany Williams, whose 21-year-old daughter was shot in the chest and remained in a coma fighting for her life, referring to those responsible for the violence.
“They aimed for babies,” Williams said Sunday from the hospital.
Police said the youngest victims included a 6-year-old boy shot in the stomach, as well as 7-, 12- and 14-year-old boys who were struck in the legs. All four children are expected to survive.
The shooting unfolded as relatives and friends gathered outside a Brooklyn building for an Independence Day cookout in a gated area near West 30th Street and Surf Avenue.
The celebration was upended shortly after 10:30 p.m.
Authorities said a single gunman dressed in all black and wearing a black ski mask walked up to the group, fired at least 10 rounds, and then ran from the scene.
“The next thing you know, we see people falling on the ground, running,” Williams said. “Then I realize two of my daughters got shot. My two nephews, babies, innocent babies. My cousin.
“Innocent people that had nothing to do with nothing. Babies, and they was just shot.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that the shooting may have been in retaliation for a fatal gang-related bullet spree on the same block earlier in the week.
“There is no indication at this time that there was any argument or altercation at the barbecue before the shooting occurred,’’ she said.
“Earlier this week, we had a confirmed gang-related homicide that occurred on the same block,’’ she said. “We are looking into whether there is a nexus between the two incidents.
“A Tec-9 style firearm equipped with an extended magazine was recovered on that scene, along with 10 discharged shell casings.’’
Williams’ son, DeJhan Williams, 22, said Sunday, “All we heard was a loud firework go off outside of the gates.
“After the fireworks went off, we just heard gunshots, bah, bah, bah, bah. Everybody just got down. You see blood everywhere.
“Three of my baby cousins, two of my sisters got hit. My cousin got hit in the chest. One of the other men got hit in the arm,” he said. “I just felt rage. I can’t explain it. My family just got shot.”
He said his family was not the intended target. It remains unknown who was.
Also among the wounded were a 37-year-old man shot in the shoulder, a 33-year-old man shot in the chest, and a 25-year-old woman shot in the leg. They were expected to survive.
The senseless shooting rattled neighbors, some of whom first thought the gunfire was celebratory fireworks for Independence Day.
“I’m thinking they’re fireworks, because, of course, it’s the 4th of July,” said Coney Island local Erica Borrelli to The Post.
“My son is 10 years old. He ran over to me and he was like, ‘Mom, those are gunshots.’
“He instantly knew the difference,” Borrelli said, adding he was aware because he plays “Fortnight’’ and “Call of Duty.’’ “He was like, ‘That is not a firework. That is a gunshot.’ ”
Another neighborhood resident who asked not to be identified recalled the outburst of bullets.
“It was really hard to tell exactly how many, but at least 16,” the local said. “I was watching the fire works from my apartment. I saw police speeding down the street like a cowboy movie.”
Residents said the building at the scene of the incident has long been troublesome.
“They’re vandals in the projects over there,” a local said. “They’re out here at all times of the day, jumping on people’s cars, throwing eggs, throwing rocks, at people’s cars as they’re driving by.”
Another neighborhood resident agreed — and said she knew what was happening right away.
“I know the difference between gunshots and fireworks,” she said.
