Flatbush Mourns the Loss of 24-Year-Old Ramel Ingram, Fatally Shot Outside His Brooklyn Home
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Flatbush community is reeling in grief and disbelief following the tragic death of 24-year-old Ramel Ingram, who was fatally shot Wednesday night just steps from his home. According to the New York Police Department, the shooting occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Crooked Avenue, between Saint Paul’s Place and Ocean Avenue — a residential street often filled with families, children, and the quiet hum of evening life.
What should have been another peaceful autumn evening turned into a nightmare for neighbors and loved ones, as the sound of gunfire shattered the calm, leaving behind heartbreak, unanswered questions, and a growing demand for justice.
The Incident
According to authorities, Ramel Ingram was standing outside his apartment building when an unknown assailant approached and opened fire. Police say multiple rounds were fired, striking Ingram in the torso. Neighbors reported hearing five to six rapid gunshots, followed by the sound of a vehicle speeding away.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes and found Ingram lying on the sidewalk, unresponsive. He was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
As of Thursday afternoon, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been identified. Detectives with NYPD’s 68th Precinct Homicide Unit are canvassing the area, reviewing surveillance footage, and speaking with witnesses. While a motive has not been confirmed, officials have not ruled out the possibility of a targeted attack.
A Community in Shock
The senseless loss of a young life has stunned residents of Flatbush, a diverse Brooklyn neighborhood known for its strong Caribbean-American roots, tight-knit blocks, and vibrant community culture.
“This is not supposed to happen here,” said Sandra McIntosh, a longtime neighbor who watched Ramel grow up. “That young man had his whole life ahead of him. He wasn’t in the streets. He was working, staying to himself. Now he’s gone.”
Friends describe Ingram as a quiet, respectful, and focused young man, known for his love of music and his dedication to his family. He had recently taken on more hours at his job and was talking about enrolling in a trade program. Those who knew him said he had dreams of building something better — for himself and his loved ones.
“Ramel was trying to do the right thing,” said his cousin, Malik. “He didn’t deserve this. We’re all just broken right now.”
Candlelight Vigil Planned
In the wake of Ingram’s death, members of the community are organizing a candlelight vigil to honor his memory and call for peace. The vigil will be held this Saturday evening at the corner of Crooked Avenue and Saint Paul’s Place, where mourners will gather to light candles, share stories, and demand an end to the violence that continues to claim young lives in the city.
Local clergy, community leaders, and anti-violence activists are expected to attend, alongside Ingram’s family and friends. The event is also being used as a platform to call for increased community policing, youth outreach, and mental health resources in underserved neighborhoods.
“We are tired of waking up to tragedy,” said Rev. Althea Jennings, a Flatbush-based pastor and advocate. “We cannot normalize this. Ramel mattered. And we won’t stop fighting until the violence does.”
Ongoing Investigation
The NYPD is urging anyone who may have been in the area or has knowledge of the shooting to come forward. Crooked Avenue is surrounded by residential buildings, many of which have surveillance cameras that could provide key footage to investigators.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Police are also working to determine whether the shooting is connected to any recent disputes or incidents in the area, although they stressed that no definitive links have been established.
City Leaders React
The killing has sparked outrage among local officials. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso issued a statement Thursday morning:
“Ramel Ingram was 24 years old — just beginning his life. This tragedy is heartbreaking and unacceptable. We must commit to protecting our communities and stopping the cycle of violence that continues to rob families of their sons and daughters.”
Councilmember Rita Joseph, who represents the district, also called for expanded funding for violence interruption programs and increased community investment:
“The violence we’re seeing is not just a law enforcement issue — it’s a systemic issue. We need prevention. We need support for our youth. And we need justice for Ramel and every other family who’s been through this nightmare.”
A Painful Reminder
Ramel Ingram’s death is yet another painful reminder of the fragile line between life and loss in communities facing rising gun violence. For those who knew him, his death is not just another statistic — it’s a wound that may never fully heal.
As his loved ones prepare to say goodbye, they do so with the hope that his story will not be forgotten — and that his name will not be added to a growing list of lives lost without accountability.
If You Have Information
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the NYPD Tip Line at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.
Rest in peace, Ramel Ingram. Your life mattered. Your community will remember you.
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