IKON New York: Famous Dominican Waitress Ariela La Langosta, also known as Ariela the lobster, identified as one of 3 people who died in NYC mass shooting.
Brooklyn, NY — A mass shooting erupted early Sunday at the Taste of the City Lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, leaving three people dead and nine others wounded, in what police are calling one of the deadliest shootings in New York City this year.
The violence unfolded just before 3:30 a.m. when an argument escalated and multiple shooters opened fire inside the crowded nightclub. Investigators believe up to four people were involved in the gunfire. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident appeared to be gang-related.
“This was a tragic, senseless act of violence,” Tisch told reporters. “We recovered at least 42 shell casings from 9 mm and .45-caliber weapons, and our detectives are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”
Victims and Casualties
Authorities confirmed that among the dead was Ariela “La Langosta” Lalangosta, a well-known Dominican bartender and nightlife personality in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old was widely recognized in the community and on social media under the handle @ariiela.lalangosta.
Two other victims, a 19-year-old man who died at the scene and a 35-year-old man who later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, were also killed. The remaining nine victims — ranging in age from 19 to 61 — are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at nearby hospitals.
Rumors and Investigations
Speculation has circulated that Ariela may have been targeted after allegedly providing information about a local criminal figure, though police have not confirmed this claim. Authorities emphasized that such rumors remain unverified and are not part of their official findings.
Meanwhile, Nata Cartier, identified by some as Ariela’s romantic partner, was detained for questioning. Investigators are trying to determine whether Cartier was the intended target of the shooting. Police sources indicated that Ariela may have been struck while with him, though Cartier himself was not injured.
Community Impact
Mayor Eric Adams condemned the shooting, calling it the second mass killing in the city within weeks, following a July 29th attack in Manhattan that left four people dead, including an NYPD officer.
“This is the second within weeks, and we don’t want this to become the new normal in our city,” Adams said. “These tragedies remind us why we fight every day to get illegal guns off our streets.”
The Scene and Evidence
Police said investigators recovered a firearm discarded on a nearby street in addition to dozens of shell casings. Video from the aftermath shows shattered glass on the driver’s side of a vehicle linked to the victims, fueling further speculation about what exactly unfolded outside the club.
Despite the mass shooting, officials highlighted that New York City has recorded the lowest number of shootings in decades so far in 2025. Commissioner Tisch stressed that the incident was an anomaly.
“This is not the direction our city is going. We will get to the bottom of what happened here,” she said.
As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been made. Authorities are urging anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers line at 800-577-TIPS.
