NEW YORK (AP) — An aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been declared brain dead after being caught in the crossfire between two gangs in the hours before the West Indian Day parade, his family said Wednesday.

Carey Gabay remains on life support pending what his family says are "difficult decisions" in the days to come. The determination was made late Tuesday.

"Our family is grieving that a man in the prime of his life who has impacted so many lives could be struck down by such a callous act," the family said in the statement. "This is a nightmare that's shaken our resolve and tested our faith. As we continue to try to make sense of this tragedy, the family would like to extend its thanks to all those who have supported us."

The 43-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer served as first deputy general counsel at the Empire State Development Corp.

He was shot in the head during a predawn party celebrating the parade on Sept. 7. Gabay was walking with his brother near the Brooklyn parade route at 3:40 a.m. when he was shot. His family said he was in a coma last week, and Cuomo said at the time that the damage done by the bullet was "extensive."

No arrests have been made in the case. Police Commissioner William Bratton told reporters last week that investigators were focusing on two gangs whose members are well-known to the New York Police Department.

Cuomo said Wednesday he was incredibly saddened by the news.

"I ask that all New Yorkers please join me in keeping both Carey and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," he said in a statement.

The shooting was one of several outbursts of violence in the neighborhoods surrounding the parade, including the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man. Police arrested a suspect in a separate shooting that occurred shortly before Gabay was wounded.
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