Brownsville Old Timers Day Shooter Could Get Life In Jail: DA

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — The man who fired the first shot in a block party shoot-out that would ultimately hurt 11 and kill one in Brownsville could spend 25 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Kyle Williams, 20, was arraigned on Monday on murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment and weapons charges for shooting 38-year-old Jason Pagan during the Old Timers Day event in Brownsville in July.

Shooting Pagan ignited a shoot-out between two rival groups that left 11 innocent bystanders shot and wounded, the prosecutors said.

“A beloved community celebration held peacefully and joyously became chaotic and tragic when this defendant allegedly opened fire in the middle of a crowd," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "Senseless gun violence that puts innocent people in harm’s way has destroyed too many lives and will not be tolerated in Brooklyn. We will now seek to bring justice to all of the people who were impacted by this defendant’s brazen conduct.”

Williams faces one count of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment. He could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted of the top charge, prosecutors said.

Investigators said Williams confronted Pagan at the July 27 block party around 11 p.m. in the Brownsville Playground, near Hegeman Avenue and Sackman Street.

Surrounded by more than 500 partygoers, the two got into a argument and Williams ended up taking out a gun and shooting Pagan in the head and torso. Two rival groups then started shooting at one another, hitting 11 people in their crossfire, prosecutors said.

Williams was arrested in October after multiple eyewitnesses told investigators they saw him fire the first shot. Police also recovered the gun Williams used during the shootout and said he admitted to it while in custody.

A judge ordered Williams to be held without bail until his next court hearing in January, prosecutors said.