Man shot to death in Brooklyn leaving girlfriend’s birthday party: ‘He was a sweet kid and very loving’

The 20-year-old man shot dead 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 approached him and opened fire on Paerdegat First Street near 79th E Street in Canarsie around 10:15 a.m., police and sources said.

The victim was shot in the back and both arms as the gunmen fled in a blue sedan.

He was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, where he died.

After his death, his family wondered how this could have happened.

“He was a handsome 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 has never been in trouble before. This is shocking. We can’t imagine who would do it.”

Flowers worked at the Shake Shack store and was going to college in the fall.

“He wanted to play basketball,” she said. “He won trophies in all sorts of tournaments.”

Flowers’ sister spoke fondly of his love of music and dancing.

“My brother was so funny,” she said. “He was a sweet child and very loving.”

According to police, Flowers had no criminal record. He lived in downtown Brooklyn with his family.

“We don’t really know why this happened. To be honest, my brother was not like that,” his sister said. “He was so young, so alive, so bright. My little brother was robbed.”

The police are still working on the search for the militants.

“My family is depressed, we don’t believe,” she said. “It’s a bad dream that we’re waiting to wake up from.”