Crown Heights - Mirth turns to murder: 2 die as W. Indian fest ends

Violence erupted hours after the West Indian Day Parade ended in Brooklyn yesterday, leaving two dead and three others injured, authorities said.

The bloodshed marred what had been a joyous day of dancing, food and celebration of Caribbean culture as the lively parade moved along Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.

A 26-year-old man was stabbed in the neck at about 6:30 p.m. in front of Sing Wah Kitchen on St. Johns Place, only two blocks from the parade route.

The victim was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he died. A suspect was taken into custody at the scene, cops said.

About 30 minutes earlier, a 27-year-old man was knifed in the neck at Bedford Avenue and Eastern Parkway, cops said. He, too, died at Kings County.

And a man, 32, and a woman, 24, were each shot in the hip at about 5:15 p.m. on Eastern Parkway near New York Avenue, cops said.

“The young lady was dancing in the street and there was loud music coming from the truck,” said one witness.

“At first, she thought she got stabbed. But when she pulled up her clothes and looked at the wound, she realized she was shot, and she freaked a little bit.

“She wasn’t hurt badly. She was able to walk over and speak to the cop, and the ambulance came and took her away. It happened very quickly and nobody heard the shot.”

Also, a man was shot the arm at Troy Avenue and Empire Boulevard, cops said.

Earlier, the packed crowd enjoyed the festive sounds and sights, including women in glitzy bikinis and headdresses.

The festivities “remind me of back home,” said Ann Marie Jones, who hails from Jamaica.

“The colors are so beautiful, they remind me of the vibrant tropical colors. They cheer me up.”

Nine-year-old Melina Noel was waving Haiti’s flag and shaking a tambourine while dancing.

“I like the bands, dancing and the music. It just makes me want to dance,” Melina said.

“I’m having a good time. I’m going to keep coming back.”