The witness said that the brothers tried to calm the tensions, but that another man pulled a gun and shot the brothers, one of whom ran until he collapsed about a block away.

Image A relative's picture of Justin Ford, left, and Terrell Ford.

Terrell Ford, who was shot in the torso, was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was declared dead, the police said. Justin Ford was shot in the back and was pronounced dead at Staten Island University Hospital.

Justin Ford was an aspiring rapper who went by the name sL Blicky, and had released a song about growing up on Staten Island, called “Ferry Boat.” He worked for Lulu Car Service to save money to record his songs.

Terrell Ford, who was called Reno, worked in construction and loved to play football with friends and spend time with his family, Michael Ford said.

Both Justin and Terrell Ford had graduated from New Dorp High School and had young daughters, Mr. Ford said. They lived in a house near the Fox Hills apartments where they grew up, Mr. Ford said in the lobby of the building that was their childhood home.