Girls, 9 and 11, shot while playing near school in Brooklyn. Police are now looking for 2 shooters.

NEW YORK – Two girls were shot while playing in a park Monday near a school in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

Investigators believe the girls were not the intended targets and police are trying to track down at least two shooters.

Shots were fired shortly after 9 p.m. near PS 178 on Dean Street. Police said the girls, aged 9 and 11, were playing in the middle of a field, with their mothers watching from a nearby park bench.

Six bullets were fired at the children, hitting the 9-year-old in the leg and the 11-year-old in the back, police said. Their mothers rushed them to Brookdale Hospital, where they are in stable condition and expected to survive.

Police don't rule out gang-related motive

Detectives canvassed the scene to obtain a description of the suspects and the direction in which they fled. Based on shell casings found at the scene, investigators believe there were multiple shooters.

“It is possible that two shooters fired at least six rounds in the direction where the children were playing. At this time, it is unknown who the intended target was,” said Scott Henderson, Deputy Chief of NYPD Brooklyn North. said late monday evening. “Thankfully, both young girls are conscious, alert and are being cared for by the incredible medical staff at Brookdale Hospital.”

Authorities said it was a ShotSpotter area, but the technology was not activated at the time of the shooting, according to a source.

“At this time, we are exploring multiple avenues to explain this type of incident. But we will not rule out gang-related incidents that are problematic in this particular area of ​​Brooklyn,” said NYPD Brooklyn Deputy Chief North. Jean Mastronardi.

As the investigation continues, the NYPD says gun violence has exploded in the neighborhood, with shootings up 64% this year compared to 2023. At least 28 people have been shot so far this year, compared to 17 last year.

The shooting happened just a day later A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed less than a kilometer away. His cousin, aged 12, was arrested in this case.

Anyone with information about the girls' shootings is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-ADVICE (8477)or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782)). You can also submit a tip through their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDConseils. All calls remain confidential.