Two Men Shot in Head During Fights in NYC

Incidents occurred at a Queens laundromat and a Brooklyn restaurant, leaving victims in critical condition

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Two separate incidents of men being shot in the head occurred in New York City on Saturday. In Queens, a 31-year-old laundromat employee was shot in the back of the head during a dispute with a customer over free soap. In Brooklyn, a 30-year-old man was shot in the head during an argument at a restaurant. Both victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition, and the shooters fled the scenes without arrests.

Why it matters

These violent incidents highlight ongoing public safety concerns in New York City, where gun violence has been an issue. The circumstances around the shootings, including disputes over minor issues, raise questions about conflict resolution and the need for de-escalation tactics to prevent such tragedies.

The details

In the Queens incident, the 31-year-old laundromat employee got into a fight with a customer and went outside, where the gunman followed him and shot him in the back of the head. Police said the shooting was "over free soap." In the Brooklyn incident, the 30-year-old man was shot in the head during an argument at a restaurant around 4:30 a.m. Both victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition, and the shooters fled the scenes without any arrests.

  • The Queens incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • The Brooklyn incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Wash And Fold Super Laundry

A laundromat located in the Springfield Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York.

Quilox Restaurant & Lounge

A restaurant and lounge located in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

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The takeaway

These tragic incidents underscore the need for improved conflict resolution and de-escalation tactics to prevent violence from erupting over minor disputes. Addressing the root causes of gun violence and improving public safety will require a multi-faceted approach involving law enforcement, community organizations, and policymakers.