Police said the victim was hit in both hands and a leg and is expected to recover.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A 13-year-old boy was arrested after another 13-year-old was shot multiple times inside the NYCHA Seth Low Houses in the Brownsville neighborhood, police said. The shooting happened Friday afternoon, and the wounded boy was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was expected to recover.
The arrest moved the case into the youth justice system as detectives try to sort out what happened inside a busy public housing complex and whether more than one person took part. Police said at least one suspect ran from the building, and investigators were still trying to pin down a motive and the path of the gunfire.
Officers were called to 131 Belmont Ave. shortly before 2:45 p.m. after reports of shots fired inside the building, police said. Inside, they found a 13-year-old with gunshot wounds to both hands and a leg and a graze wound to a knee. Paramedics treated him at the scene and rushed him to One Brooklyn Health Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center. Police said the boy was in stable condition and was expected to survive.
Police said a 13-year-old boy was taken into custody in connection with the shooting and was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. Because of the suspect’s age, authorities did not release his name. It was not immediately clear what kind of gun was used, whether it was recovered, or whether investigators believe the shots were fired inside an apartment, a hallway, or another common area of the building.
Investigators said at least one additional person may have been involved. Police said they were searching for a male dressed in black and wearing a ski mask who ran from the building. Early reports described two suspects in dark clothing, but police said Monday that they were continuing to look for another person who fled. Detectives were also working to determine whether the shooter and the victim knew each other and whether the shooting stemmed from an argument, a targeted attack, or a dispute that began elsewhere.
The shooting happened inside the Seth Low Houses, a New York City Housing Authority complex in Brownsville that includes several high rise buildings and is home to hundreds of families. The development sits near busy streets and schools, and residents often pass through lobbies, elevators, and stairwells throughout the day. A midday shooting inside a building can leave investigators with a long list of possible witnesses, including neighbors who heard the gunfire, residents who saw people running, and building staff who may have security footage.
Police did not say how many shots were fired or whether any other people were injured. They also did not release information about where the boy was standing when he was hit in his hands and leg. Detectives typically look at shell casings, bullet strikes, and surveillance video to track a shooter’s movement through a building. They may also interview the victim once doctors clear him to speak, though authorities did not say when that could happen in this case.
Public housing shootings have drawn repeated attention in Brownsville, a neighborhood that has faced high rates of gun violence for years even as overall crime across New York City has risen and fallen. City agencies have launched several plans aimed at improving safety and living conditions in the area, including neighborhood focused investments and public housing repair programs. NYCHA has also sought major funding to modernize aging buildings across the city, with officials pointing to elevator problems, broken doors, and other issues that can affect basic safety.
In this case, investigators were focused on what led to the gunfire and how a gun ended up inside the hands of a teenager. Police have said illegal guns remain a major driver of youth shootings, and detectives often trace recovered firearms through serial numbers and ownership records when possible. It was not clear Monday whether a gun had been recovered or whether police believe it was brought into the building that day or stored there.
The arrested teen’s case is expected to move through the juvenile court process, which can include hearings that are not open in the same way as adult criminal proceedings. The specific court handling could depend on the charges and how prosecutors decide to proceed. Police said the arrested boy was charged, but they did not announce an arraignment date or say whether additional charges could be filed as detectives gather more evidence.
Residents of large housing developments often describe shootings as especially frightening when they happen inside buildings, where families may be behind apartment doors or in stairwells. Some neighbors said they heard loud pops and then saw people rushing out, while others described a heavy police presence outside the entrance as officers went floor to floor. Police did not confirm witness accounts, but they said the investigation remained active as they looked for the person who ran from the building.
Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators. Detectives were continuing to review video, interview residents, and track down the suspect who fled. The victim remained hospitalized Monday, and police said the next major step would be locating the outstanding suspect and determining exactly how the shooting unfolded inside the building.
Author note: Last updated February 24, 2026.