Emanuel “Manny” Spencer, a 44-year-old male from Brooklyn, was killed late on June 14, 2026, after a night that had started as a neighborhood celebration in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The shooting unfolded outside 101 Lincoln Road, near his home, as crowds were gathered in the street following the New York Knicks' championship win over the San Antonio Spurs.
What had been a lively block party, with people watching the game, cheering, cooking, and celebrating, suddenly turned into a crime scene when gunfire broke out just before midnight.
Police said officers from the 71st Precinct responded around 11:40 p.m. after a 911 call reported that a man had been shot. They found Spencer suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body. EMS rushed him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County in critical condition, but he was later pronounced dead. Reports described party debris still scattered around the scene afterward, including cups and grills, reminders of how quickly the gathering had shifted from celebration to panic.
Witnesses and neighbors described the chaos after the shots were fired. Some people at first thought the gunfire was fireworks because of the celebration surrounding the Knicks' win. Once people realized someone had been shot, the crowd began running, including families and children who had been outside enjoying the night. One neighbor said Spencer had not wanted to stay outside and was trying to get back upstairs so his daughter could see him. Instead, he was shot just steps from home.
Those who knew Spencer described him as calm, laid back, respectful, and deeply connected to his family. His younger brother said Spencer had been enjoying the day and that everyone was simply watching basketball and relaxing. He remembered him as a gentle family man who loved spending time with his daughters, sports, and music. Neighbors also spoke of him as someone who was loved and respected in the area, making his death feel especially painful to those who saw him as part of the neighborhood's everyday life.
Investigators had not announced any arrests in Spencer's killing in the reports available after the shooting. Police said the investigation remained ongoing, and no suspect or suspects had been publicly identified. NBC New York reported that police were looking into whether the shooting followed a dispute connected to the Knicks-Spurs game or the watch parties in the area, but it was not clear whether that was the motive. Other reports described his killing as one of several shootings and violent incidents tied to citywide celebrations that night, though Spencer was reported as the only fatal shooting victim from the Knicks-related gatherings.
