Carey Gabay, a 43-year-old staffer for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has died from wounds suffered in a festival ahead of the popular Labor Day Weekend West Indian Day Parade. Gabay was shot in the head at the J’Ouvert festival after stumbling across what officials say was a gang-related shooting and died 10 days later.
Gabay, who served as a lead counsel for Gov. Cuomo’s Empire State Development Corp. was shot on Sept. 7 in the early morning hours while walking home the J’Ouvert festival, which typically takes place before the parade. Gabay was caught in what police say was a shootout between gangs. Gabay was walking near Prospect Park with his younger brother and several friends when he was shot in the head around 3:40 a.m.
Gabay was rushed to Kings County Hospital Center, reported to be in critical condition and a coma according to recent accounts. On Tuesday, Gabay was declared brain-dead and the family elected to take him off a respirator.
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“We ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time,” Mr. Gabay’s family said in a statement.
Calling the shooting “a nightmare that’s shaken our resolve and tested our faith,” the family asked anyone with information about what happened to contact the police.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of Carey Gabay. Carey was the epitome of an outstanding public servant. He held a tremendous commitment to his community, and he chose to use his many talents to better the lives of others. New York is undeniably a better place today because of his service.”
Gabay was born to Jamaican immigrant parents and grew up in the Bronx. A Harvard Law School graduate, Gabay first worked for Gov. Cuomo in 2011 as an assistant counsel. At the top of the year, he was appointed first deputy counsel for the Empire State Development Corp., that state’s top economic development hub.
As reported by DNAInfo, video of the alleged suspects has gone public and police are offering a $12,500 reward for information leading up to the arrest of the gunman or gunmen.
Gabay is survived by his wife, Trenelle.
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Photo: New York State Governor’s Office
