Teen Remembered After Tragic Eastern Parkway Shooting That Shook Brooklyn Community
A quiet Saturday night in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, turned into a tragedy that left an entire community mourning the loss of 16-year-old Tyson Harps, a bright and kind-hearted teen from the Bronx whose life ended far too soon. Police say the incident unfolded along Eastern Parkway late in the evening after reports of gunfire brought emergency responders rushing to the scene.
According to the New York City Police Department, officers responded around 8:47 p.m. to a call reporting shots fired in the area. When they arrived, they found Tyson lying unresponsive on the pavement. Despite the quick arrival of emergency medical services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from both the Major Case Squad and the Crime Scene Unit spent hours canvassing the area, collecting shell casings, reviewing security footage, and speaking with witnesses in an effort to determine what led to the violence.
Residents nearby described hearing multiple gunshots followed by the sound of running footsteps. Several locals reported looking out their windows and seeing flashing lights as police cordoned off the area with yellow tape. Investigators have not yet announced any arrests or released details on a possible suspect. The motive remains under investigation, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Tyson Harps, remembered by family and friends as a gentle and driven young man, had dreams that reached far beyond the neighborhood he grew up in. His teachers describe him as a respectful, motivated student who loved music, basketball, and helping others. He was known for his quiet confidence and for encouraging classmates to stay out of trouble. “He was the kind of kid who made you smile without trying,” said one of his former coaches. “He wanted to make something of himself and lift up those around him.”
Friends have flooded social media with messages of love and remembrance, calling Tyson “a light in dark places” and “a brother to everyone.” One post read, “We promised each other we’d graduate together. Now I’ll walk that stage for both of us.”
His family, now left to face unimaginable grief, is asking the public to respect their privacy as they mourn. Tyson lived in the Bronx with his mother, younger sister, and grandmother, who all say he was their “peacekeeper”—someone who always found ways to calm tensions and make others laugh. His mother described him as “the heart of our home.”
Community leaders have also spoken out about the need to address the continued wave of youth violence across New York City. Local advocates in both Brooklyn and the Bronx are calling for expanded youth programs and mentorship opportunities to prevent future tragedies. “We can’t afford to lose another child to senseless violence,” said one neighborhood organizer during a Sunday vigil held near the site of the shooting. Candles, flowers, and photos of Tyson now line the sidewalk along Eastern Parkway—a solemn reminder of a life ended too soon.
As investigators continue their work, loved ones are left holding onto memories of who Tyson was: kind, curious, full of potential, and loved by many. What remains now is a community’s determination to seek justice for Tyson Harps and ensure his name is never forgotten.