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Mother of 5 identified as woman killed in Crown Heights shooting that left man injured

Police responded to a 911 call reporting a person shot near the intersection of Bergen Street and Howard Avenue at 2:23 a.m.

Molly Bruton

and

Mike Lamorte

and

Estefania Salinas

Aug 16, 2026, 9:35 PM

Updated

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A mother of five was killed and a man was injured after gunfire erupted on a crowded Crown Heights street early Sunday morning, according to the NYPD.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting a person shot near the intersection of Bergen Street and Howard Avenue at 2:23 a.m. Detectives say gunfire erupted during a verbal dispute among a crowd of about 100 people gathered near Ooh La La Lounge and Bar.

When officers arrived, they found 33-year-old Sofronie Hartzog with a gunshot wound to the back and the 34-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

EMS rushed the Hartzog to Brookdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The male victim was taken by private means to Kings County Hospital in stable condition.

No arrests had been made as of Sunday night.

Surveillance video appears to show a black car circling the block around the time of the shooting. Police say an argument broke out before the gunfire, but investigators are still working to determine exactly what led to the shooting and who was involved.

News 12 Reporter Estefania Salinas Sunday evening report on the Crown Heights shooting.

Several residents told News 12 off-camera that more than 100 people were outside at the time, a much bigger crowd than they’re used to seeing in the area.

Some residents said they heard more than 20 shots fired and heard people shouting, “Where are the guns?” “Stop, don’t run,” and “Put it away.”

One resident, Frank, said he wants to see more done to address gun violence.

“Take the guns out of the street. You got to do something with the young kids,” he said.

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