Brooklyn man gets 32 years behind bars for fatal shooting rampage during Brownsville Old Timers celebration

July 7, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese

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A popular community gathering in Brownsville turned into a tragic display of violence when a local man unleashed a hail of gunfire, leading to a full-blown shootout that left one dead and 11 others wounded.

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that 23-year-old Kyle Williams of Brownsville has been sentenced to 32 1/2 years to life in prison on Wednesday.

Williams’ violent act, initiated during the cherished Old Timers Day celebration in 2019, transformed an evening of community camaraderie into a night of terror.

“A beloved community celebration held each year turned tragic when this defendant opened fire in the middle of a crowd,” said Gonzalez. “Senseless gun violence that puts innocent people in harm’s way has destroyed too many lives and will not be tolerated in Brooklyn.”

Williams was found guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree reckless endangerment by a jury on April 20, 2023. Supreme Court Justice John Hecht issued his sentence.

The fateful evening of July 27, 2019 saw more than 500 community members gathered at the Brownsville Playground for the annual Old Timers Day celebration when Williams confronted 38-year-old Jason Pagan.

A verbal dispute spiraled into a lethal confrontation when Williams brandished a firearm, shooting Pagan fatally in the head and torso. This brazen act sparked a gruesome gunfight between rival groups, leaving 11 innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire and nursing gunshot wounds.

Williams was apprehended on October 16, 2019, thanks to tips from vigilant community members. Multiple eyewitness accounts pinpointed Williams as the initial shooter, and the murder weapon was recovered by the police. While in custody, Williams confessed to the fatal shooting.

“As a result of this defendant’s outrageous actions a man lost his life, and 11 other people were shot and wounded,” Gonzalez said. “He has now been held accountable.”