A chaotic afternoon in the heart of Manhattan sent tourists and workers running for cover on Thursday after a fight broke out in Times Square, leaving one man stabbed and triggering two separate gunfire incidents just blocks apart.
Police say the trouble started just after 3:30 p.m. near Broadway between West 44th and 45th streets, when a large group got into a dispute that turned violent.
A 26-year-old man was slashed in the neck during the altercation. He was rushed to a local hospital and is expected to survive.
Gunfire Sends Crowds Running
Minutes later, witnesses say a teenager pulled out a gun and opened fire on the same group involved in the fight. The sound of gunshots set off a wave of panic through one of the busiest tourist destinations in the country.
People scattered in every direction, ducking into nearby stores and restaurants to escape what they feared was an active shooter situation.
One witness described the scene inside a nearby fast food spot, saying it sounded like glass shattering as people rushed through the doors in a panic.
Another bystander said she saw children on the ground as the crowd surged inward, and she dropped down herself because the gunfire sounded like it was right behind her. Several people said they ducked into a nearby candy shop and stayed there until things calmed down.
A street vendor working nearby said he was in the middle of helping a customer when he heard the shots and people running.
He said the location makes the whole situation even more unsettling since the area is filled with tourists from all over the world on any given day.
According to police, the shooter was chased by officers and eventually taken into custody. During the pursuit, video appeared to show the suspect running south before slamming into a police officer and continuing to flee east, with officers in close pursuit.
Second Shooting Erupts Blocks Away
Just as officers were dealing with the first scene, a second shooting broke out at West 45th Street and Eighth Avenue. Details on what triggered that second incident are still emerging, but police have confirmed no one was hit by gunfire in either location.
Investigators descended on both scenes afterward, combing the area for evidence. At one site, officers were seen examining a blue Hyundai after the owner reported that something struck the vehicle during the chaos.
A firearm was recovered from the area as well, according to police.
The 17-year-old taken into custody has not yet been charged, and authorities say they are still working to determine exactly what unfolded and whether more people were involved.
Police have indicated they want to question additional individuals connected to the incident as the investigation continues.
Despite the frightening scene, officials confirmed that nobody was struck by gunfire during either shooting. The man who was stabbed remains the only person hospitalized as a direct result of Thursday’s violence.
Times Square draws massive crowds of tourists and workers throughout the day, and Thursday’s incident is renewing concerns about safety in the area. For now, police have not released further details about a motive or whether more arrests are expected, but the investigation remains active and ongoing as authorities work to piece together exactly what sparked the violence.
