SUSPECT CAUGHT IN PARK SHOOTING

By Charles Rogers

Usually quiet Harry Maze Playground, across the street from Nazareth Regional High School, was scene of shooting Thursday. Charles Rogers A 19-year-old East Flatbush man was shot in the stomach last Thursday in the usually quiet playground across the street from Nazareth Regional High School, police said.

According to Detective Madelyne Galindo, a spokesperson for NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, the shooting took place at about 3:30 p.m., at the Harry Maze Playground on Avenue D between East 57th and East 58th streets, when the victim, whose name was not released, became embroiled in a heated argument with 21-year-old Mitchell Varnell of East 51st Street and a group of men with him. While the argument continued, apparently Varnell left the scene and returned moments later with a handgun, with which he allegedly shot the 19-year-old.

Police from the 67th Precinct, who had been called by neighborhood residents who heard the commotion, arrived and called for an ambulance. Emergency Medical Service paramedics took the victim to Kings County Hospital and he was listed in stable condition.

The incident took place at about 3:30 p.m., police said. After the shooting, Varnell was identified as the alleged shooter and by the next day police were able to pick him up without incident. Detective Galindo said the suspect was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and assault. The gun was recovered, she said.

Immediately after the incident, neighbors told reporters there had been two men shot - including a brother of the victim - and that information was released. However, after further police investigation, it was discovered there was only the one victim, whose brother was not involved.