Independence Day celebrations in New York ended up marked by violence after at least eight people, including four children, were injured in a shooting on Saturday night on Coney Island, in the borough of Brooklyn.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported that officers responded around 10:37 p.m. to the 2900 block of West 31st Street after receiving reports of gunshots near the boardwalk, where numerous people were watching the fireworks show, according to the New York Post.

Four children are among the victims

The authorities indicated that the injured are a 37-year-old man, a 33-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, a 21-year-old woman, a 14-year-old teenager, a 12-year-old boy, a 7-year-old boy and a 6-year-old minor.

According to preliminary information released by the police, the 21-year-old woman remains in critical condition, while the other seven victims were transferred to area hospitals and are stable.

Local media reported that the 33-year-old man and the 21-year-old woman were shot in the chest. The 25-year-old woman and the minors aged 7, 12 and 14 suffered injuries to their legs or thighs. The 6-year-old boy was shot in the abdomen and the 37-year-old man was hit in the shoulder.

Police recovered a weapon, but no arrests have been made

The NYPD confirmed that it recovered a firearm at the scene. However, as of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made and no suspect had been identified.

The investigation remains open to clarify the circumstances of the attack and determine who or who fired into the crowd.

The shooting occurred on a day in which the Fourth of July celebrations were also marked by another incident in the city.

During the traditional Macy's fireworks show, a fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge, forcing the mobilization of emergency teams. Videos shared on social media showed a plume of smoke rising as fireworks continued over the East River.

The fire was extinguished around 10:00 p.m. and, after the show concluded, emergency vehicles remained on the bridge.

New York faces an intense heat wave

The events occurred while New York and much of the east coast of the United States remain under an intense heat wave.

The city recorded temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several consecutive days, increasing electricity demand. The company Con Edison had previously asked some residents of Brooklyn and Queens to reduce energy consumption to avoid overloading the grid.

In addition, New Jersey authorities reported that at least 19 people have died from causes allegedly related to high temperatures, most in homes without air conditioning, although victims found on public roads or inside parked vehicles were also reported.

The New York police remain open to the investigation into the shooting and have not released information about possible perpetrators.