Three men were stabbed in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, shortly before the annual J’Ouvert Festival began on Monday.
Police said the attack happened near Carroll Street and Utica Avenue at about 5:48 a.m. on September 7, 2026.
A 32-year-old man and a 23-year-old man suffered stab wounds to their necks.
A third victim, aged 36, was stabbed in the face.
Emergency workers transported all three men to Kings County Hospital.
The 32-year-old remained in critical condition. The other two victims were listed in stable condition.
Police have not announced any arrests.
The motive remains unknown. Authorities have also not confirmed whether the attack was directly connected to the festival.
The stabbing happened near the route of the J’Ouvert Festival, which started at 6 a.m.
J’Ouvert takes place before the West Indian American Day Parade. The events celebrate Caribbean culture with music, dancing, food and costumes.
Thousands of police officers were deployed along the routes and in nearby communities.
“Thousands of NYPD cops will be on the parade routes and in the surrounding neighborhoods from Sunday night through Monday. This is one of our department’s largest deployments of the year at this time,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Police screened visitors at 13 entry points. Alcohol, weapons, drones and large bags were prohibited.
The main parade was scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.
Authorities introduced the earlier closing time after six people were shot during the 2025 celebrations.
The investigation into Monday’s stabbing remains active.
