Brooklyn Aquarium Creator Sentenced to 12 Years for 2023 Shooting

Hajj Malik Lovick, known for his viral sidewalk aquarium, was convicted of attempted murder after firing into a crowd following a bar dispute.

Hajj Malik Lovick, 48, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for a 2023 shooting outside a Brooklyn bar that injured a 51-year-old man.
The shooting occurred after an argument at Lovers Rock bar, where Lovick left the scene, retrieved a gun, and fired two shots, endangering bystanders.
Lovick gained attention in 2024 for creating the Bed-Stuy Aquarium, a makeshift goldfish pond built from a leaking fire hydrant on a cracked sidewalk.
During sentencing, Lovick's attorney highlighted his community contributions, including the aquarium and neighborhood programs, but the judge emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime.
City officials and animal rights advocates had previously shut down the aquarium, but plans for a new, permanent version are reportedly under discussion.