On a summer evening in Brooklyn, a senseless act of violence tragically cut short the life of Christopher Ross, a 53-year-old man beloved by his family and community. On Sunday, August 9, 2020, Ross was at Lincoln Terrace Park in Crown Heights, enjoying a game of handball, a pastime he loved. Just before 6 p.m., while he was on the court, a dispute erupted between two groups nearby, leading to an exchange of gunfire. A stray bullet struck Ross in the head, killing him instantly.
He was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of a conflict he had no part in.
His wife, Veronica Peters, described the heartbreak of his sudden departure, recalling that he had kissed her and told her he loved her before leaving for the park, promising he would be back. Ross was a doting grandfather and a pillar in his neighborhood, known as someone who would go out of his way to help anyone in need. His death sent shockwaves through the community, with friends and family gathering for vigils to remember a man described as one of a kind.
In the wake of the shooting, the New York Police Department launched an investigation, stating that Ross was an unintended victim. Authorities released surveillance footage showing two men they wanted to question in connection with the fatal shooting. A significant reward was offered for any information that would lead to an arrest. The two suspects were seen in the video wearing white t-shirts and black pants.
Despite the circulation of the surveillance footage and the reward offered, the individuals responsible for Christopher Ross's death have not been publicly identified or apprehended. His case is part of a spike in gun violence that plagued the city that summer, leaving a family to mourn a husband, a father of four, and a grandfather who was taken from them in a moment of reckless violence. The community was left on edge, and Ross's family called for measures to be taken to prevent similar tragedies, such as installing cameras in the park.
