A 20-year-old man gunned down in Brooklyn was leaving an Airbnb where he was celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday, his devastated family told the Daily News on Wednesday.
Ethen Flowers was killed Monday morning when three men walked up to him and fired off shots on Paerdegat First St. near E. 79th St. in Canarsie around 10:15 a.m., police and sources said.
The victim was shot in the back and both arms as the shooters fled in a blue sedan.
He was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, where he died.
In the wake of his death, his family was left questioning how this could have happened.
“He was a beautiful kid who loved to play basketball,” said his 25-year-old sister, who did not want to be named out of fear for her family’s safety. “He’s never been in trouble before. It’s shocking. We can’t imagine who would do this.”
Flowers was working at a Shake Shack location and planning to attend college in the fall.
He wanted to pursue basketball,” she said. “He won trophies in all sorts of tournaments.”
Flowers’ sister lovingly recalled his love for music and dance.
“My brother was so funny,” she said. “He was a sweet kid and very loving.”
Flowers had no criminal history, police said. He lived in Downtown Brooklyn with his family.
“We genuinely don’t know why this happened. My brother was not like that, honestly,” his sister said. “He was so young, so lively, so vibrant. My little brother was robbed.”
Police are still working to track down the gunmen.
“My family is crushed, we’re in disbelief,” she said. “This is a bad dream we’re waiting to wake up from.”
Hope they are caught and never get out of jail.
Being free and enjoying life does not mean anything to these murders anyway.