Man killed near public housing on Upper West Side

Police searching for suspect who fled the scene after fatal shooting

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the aftermath of a fatal shooting.A single spent bullet casing left behind at the scene of a fatal shooting near a public housing complex highlights the grim realities of gun violence in urban neighborhoods.NYC Today

A 33-year-old man was fatally shot near a public housing complex on the Upper West Side of New York City on Thursday afternoon. Police responded to a 911 call and found the victim, Rashaun Hopkins, with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead. Authorities are searching for a male suspect with a dark complexion who was wearing all black and fled the scene.

Why it matters

Gun violence near public housing complexes is an ongoing concern in many urban areas, with residents often facing higher rates of crime and safety issues. This incident highlights the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of violence and improve community-police relations in these neighborhoods.

The details

The shooting occurred just before 5 p.m. on April 9 in front of the Frederick Douglass Houses, a New York City Housing Authority property on the Upper West Side. Officers from the 24th Precinct and NYPD's Public Service Area 6 responded to a 911 call about a man shot at the location and found Rashaun Hopkins with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. They rushed him to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

  • The shooting occurred just before 5 p.m. on April 9, 2026.

The players

Rashaun Hopkins

A 33-year-old man who was fatally shot near the Frederick Douglass Houses on the Upper West Side.

New York City Housing Authority

The agency that operates the Frederick Douglass Houses, the public housing complex where the shooting took place.

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What’s next

Police are continuing their investigation and searching for the male suspect who fled the scene. They are asking the public to come forward with any information that could help identify and locate the suspect.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges of gun violence and public safety in low-income urban neighborhoods, particularly around public housing complexes. Addressing the root causes of such violence, improving community-police relations, and enhancing security measures in these areas remain critical priorities for local authorities.