NYPD expected trouble at house party, then it came

 

 

AMNY

A gang of men unleashed a hail of bullets, shooting into a residential Queens party late Friday night, which prompted detectives to return fire and injure three men, police said.

Members of the NYPD Violent Crime Squad were parked outside 219th Street and 130th Avenue in Laurelton observing a party which they believed had gang connections. The detectives sat in an unmarked car wearing plain clothes, according to Chief of Patrol Jeffery Maddrey when, at 11:35 p.m. on Aug. 5, a group of men arrived and began firing into the event.

“Now, understand there was about 75 to 100 people at this party and now you have a group of males firing into this group,” Chief Maddrey said during an early morning press conference on Aug. 6. “The detectives saw this, they realized danger was imminent.”

It was reported that the Violent Crime Squad rushed from their vehicle and attempted to stop the mayhem by immediately shooting at the men. After a brief firefight, police brought down three of the men with an array of bullet wounds. All three men were hurried to a local hospital, two of whom are expected to survive. A third man, however, is currently in critical condition.

The detectives were also removed to a medical facility for treatment of severe tinnitus, police said.

Early in the investigation, it wasn’t yet known if any of the revelers were also struck. Well after sunrise Saturday, Crime Scene Unit detectives were still canvassing the area for evidence, marking as many as 39 shell casings left in the exchange of bullets.

 

More details about Bayside house party gone wrong

From CBS New York:

A man and woman were arrested in front of the home later that day, but it was unclear as to why they were taken in, CBS2’s Matt Kozar reported. Neighbors said the woman lives at the home with her mother.

From the Daily News:

A man who gave his name as Joel said he rented the home out for the night on Airbnb and posted an invite on Instagram to the 9 p.m. birthday party.

Neighbor Lori Somekh, 56, said the “mob” of young people overran the neighborhood.

“You give kids alcohol and a gun and bad things happen,” said Somekh. “I always think weird things happen in the house. I’m always creeped out.”

Frankie Marchione, 20, was at the party and said most of the festivities were in the basement — where the shooting occurred.

People paid between $15 and $25 to get in, he said. Alcohol was served on the first floor of the house — but only those 21 and older got to go upstairs from the basement.

Bayside McMansion rented out on AirBnB for house party; 2 men shot

From Eyewitness News:

Two men were shot as they were leaving a house party overnight Saturday.

Around midnight on 28th Avenue in Bayside, following an argument with a man at the party, the first victim, 27, was shot in the torso. He was taken to New York Hospital Queens and is in critical condition.

The second victim, 23, also suffered a gunshot wound to the torso and was taken to North Shore Hospital, also critical.

The nature of the dispute is unknown. There have been no arrests.

The house was rented for the party.

The address? 213-45 28th Avenue.

No shortage of listings in Bayside!

Council member suggests house party legislation

From CBS New York:

It’s a proposal that could make Brooklyn a bit more mellow, a push to prevent large and unruly gatherings by forcing people to get permission to party.

Recently, a massive house party, hosting more than 200 people, took place in the borough and some residents told CBS 2’s Derricke Dennis they’re sick of it.

Parties like that one two Sundays ago are the focus of a new proposal from City Councilman Jumaane Williams, cracking down on what he calls advertised “house clubs,” where there’s a cover charge, drinks are being sold, and huge crowds are in attendance.

“We think when there’s 200-300 people in a backyard and this happens on a routine basis, you’re really inviting trouble,” Williams said.

The proposal would mean anyone hosting a party with 40 or more people invited would have to register the event with the police.

“All we said is we have to inform the precinct and inform the community aboard. You wouldn’t have to ask for approval. You wouldn’t have to ask for permission,” Williams said.

So is this added protection, or an infringement of rights? The answer remains to be seen.

Councilman Williams also wants to create fines for people who advertise their party on social media and charge for admission and drinks, Dennis reported.

Parties the size of what the council member is targeting belong at a place of assembly, which is inspected by FDNY and assigned an occupancy limit. From FDNY:

As a matter of public safety, New York City requires a Place of Assembly (PA) Certificate of Operation for all premises where the Certificate of Occupancy indicates that 75 or more members of the public may gather indoors or 200 or more may gather outdoors for religious, recreational, educational, political or social purposes, to consume food or drink, await transportation, or any similar group activities. When such groups gather, it is necessary to ensure that the space is safe and issues, such as proper egress and emergency lighting, are appropriately addressed.

The certificate of occupancy for a private house generally does not allow 40 or more people to be on premises at once. I would think that parties of the volume that the council member is trying to regulate are already technically illegal and there are agencies responsible for monitoring the issue other than NYPD, like FDNY and/or DOB. In addition, those advertising their parties on social media and charging for admission and drinks have now turned their residence into a business. That's already illegal and subject to DOB fines. Good luck getting any enforcement.