9 shot, one fatally, at Harlem barbecue, NYPD says

Nine people were shot in Harlem early Monday, one fatally, police said.

The victims appear to have been gathered at a barbecue when shots rang out shortly after midnight, police said.

‘’The emboldened individuals responsible for this are exactly who our officers are battling every day to make our city safe,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at pre-dawn press conference near the scene, 139th St. and Fifth Ave.

The victims, including two women, were shot about 12:40 a.m., according to Deputy Chief Brian Mcgree.

Officers responding to the scene found five victims on an FDR Drive footpath under the Madison Avenue Bridge, McGee said. Medics rushed them to different hospitals, and police later found out four other gunshot victims had gone to the hospital on their own or with the help of others, he said.

One victim, a 21-year-old man, died at Lincoln Hospital.

It wasn’t yet clear what sparked the shooting but police believe more than one gunman fired. One handgun was recovered at the scene.

McGee said it appears the gunfire took place at a barbecue.

“We are looking for anyone with information,” McGee said. “We know that there were a lot of people out there.”

Shootings, while still up dramatically, 47%, compared to two years ago, are down 11% versus the same time last year.

“While we are making some headway against violence we have a lot of work to do,” Sewell said. “But we need help [from] the entire criminal justice system.”