A 17-year-old youth has been taken into US police custody following a shooting incident in Times Square on Thursday afternoon that triggered widespread panic among the public.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported that a dispute involving a large group of people erupted shortly after 3:30pm on Broadway, specifically between West 44th and 45th streets. During the altercation, a 26-year-old man sustained a slash wound to his neck, reports CBS News.
Moments later, the 17-year-old suspect allegedly opened fire on the same group of people.
A second shooting incident was subsequently reported at the intersection of West 45th Street and Eighth Avenue. Authorities confirmed that no individuals were struck by bullets or injured by gunfire in either instance.
The man who was slashed was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover.
Dozens of NYPD officers were deployed to the scene at 44th Street and Seventh Avenue. Investigators were observed examining a blue Hyundai after the car’s owner reported the vehicle had been struck during the chaos.
A weapon was successfully recovered by police at the site of the second shooting.
While the teenage suspect is currently in custody, formal charges have yet to be filed. Investigators are now seeking to question several other individuals in connection with the shootings.
The sound of gunfire caused hundreds of people to flee for safety in the busy tourist district. Witnesses described scenes of intense panic inside a nearby Raising Cane’s restaurant as crowds rushed inside.
Michael Reid, who was present during the event, noted that the sound of people rushing in sounded like glass shattering, while another witness, Aydan Spencer, described seeing children on the floor as people ducked for cover. Other bystanders sought refuge inside the Hershey Store.
Shad Miya, a street vendor working at the time of the incident, expressed grave concern for the safety of the area, noting that the location is a major hub for international tourists.
