Police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old boy in Brooklyn after the city’s medical examiner ruled the case a homicide, according to authorities.
Officers from the 73rd Precinct responded to a 911 call around 4:58 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at 203 Newport St. in Brownsville, where they found the child, Anthony Casey, unconscious and unresponsive, police said.
EMS rushed the child to One Brooklyn Health-Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the investigation is in its early stages. The nature of the child’s injuries has not been disclosed, and authorities have not released information about who made the initial 911 call.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, an NYPD spokesperson said.
The city’s medical examiner did not respond to queries about Monday’s homicide ruling at the time of publication.
The death of Anthony Casey marks the fourth homicide in the 73rd Precinct so far this year, down from 17 during the same period last year, per the latest NYPD data.
For longtime Prospect Heights resident Jeff Beler, art is more than an image — it’s something that can transform a neighborhood.
Ten years ago, he founded Underhill Walls, the now-famous open-air gallery on Underhill Avenue. He has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, just a few blocks from the project.
The idea grew from a chance encounter with an abandoned building. After a laundromat caught fire 25 years ago, Beler approached its former owner in 2015.
“I saw all these green barricades going up all over the city. I thought it was an opportunity to get some public art there,” he told Brooklyn Paper.
With the property owner’s blessing, Beler teamed up with curator Frankie Velez and a group of artists to bring the walls to life. Their first installation featured a zodiac theme, and from that moment, the walls became a rotating canvas, refreshed every six months.
While the first and newest theme is zodiac signs, Beler has coordinated murals around music, female icons and more.Photo courtesy of Jeff Beler, art by SacSix
Beler said past Underhill Walls themes have included book covers, female icons, movies, music and more. On Oct. 18, murals will be painted in the original zodiac theme to mark the project’s 10th anniversary, complete with a block party.
The project quickly became a source of neighborhood pride.
“Some classes take them as a learning field trip,” Beler said. He described the peaceful feeling of “having a bad day, coming off the subway and it’s snowing or raining and you see these beautiful colors.”
Beler (left) has expanded the project to the Washington Walls and Bergen Street Walls.Photo courtesy of Jeff Beler, art by Kelvin Morel
“When you see the kids’ faces when they walk by every day, it’s like you’re giving them something that’s theirs,” he said.
Beler has also brought multiple generations into his projects. He works with a 10-year-old named Chloe, who has designed 15 murals in three years. Her latest project at the Washington Walls, inspired by the Netflix movie K-Pop Demon Hunters, has generated considerable buzz in the neighborhood.
The project’s impact has rippled throughout Brooklyn.
“It’s spawned all different kinds of projects,” he said. Beler has since expanded Underhill Walls to other open-air galleries, including the Washington Walls and the Bergen Street Walls.
Chloe, now 10 years old, is pictured at three years old at the walls.Photo courtesy of Jeff Beler, art by Vincent Ballatine
Despite the wall’s success, time and weather have taken their toll.
“After years of exposure to the elements, the original wooden panels are warped and need a full restoration to keep this cultural landmark alive,” Beler said.
Restoration work, led by Calvin Jones Construction, began Oct. 5, with artists returning shortly afterward to refresh the panels for another six months of rotating art. Beler also created a GoFundMe campaign to help with preservation, raising more than $5,000 so far.
The upcoming anniversary block party promises to be a vibrant celebration of art and community.
“There will be DJs, vendors, astrologers, tarot card readers, crystals and vintage clothing,” Beler said. “One of the original artists from 10 years ago is painting, but I’ve got a whole new crew over the last 10 years. I always include one new artist for each installation.”
The Underhill Walls have become a pillar of the Prospect Heights community.Photo courtesy of Jeff Beler, art by Al RuizThe Underhill Walls will host an anniversary block party on Oct. 18.Photo courtesy of Jeff Beler, art by Sage Gallon
Beler said the walls serve as accessible art for the community.
“Arts funding is being cut and censorship is everywhere,” he said. “For public art like this, you don’t need a museum. It’s free; it’s for children and everyone.”
The 10-year celebration of Underhill Walls, “What’s Your Sign,” will take place Oct. 18 at 314 Underhill Ave. in Prospect Heights.
George Legere was arrested last month in connection with the 1973 murder of 21-year-old Janet Couture at her apartment on Cannon Road in Mayberry Village.
Two years ago, the world awoke to tragedy in Israel.
Today, we recommit to calling for the release and return of all hostages, to confronting the scourge of antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head, and to praying for a peaceful end to the war in Gaza.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) Oct 7, 2025
