Tourists Run for Their Lives as Gunfire Erupts in New York’s Times Square as Terrified Parents Drag Children to Safety
By JACK TOLEDO
Tourists were left scrambling for their lives after gunfire erupted in New York City’s busy Times Square.
The chaos unfolded at 3.30pm near 42nd Street and Broadway on Thursday, following the Knicks’ ticker-tape championship parade which drew massive crowds.
Video showed tourists, including parents who were seen frantically pulling their children behind them sprinting away from at least two gunmen.
Officials said the shooting began after a dispute between several people.
A webcam video shows at least two people in black clothing step into the crowded intersection and open fire with what appear to be handguns.
A 26-year-old man was also slashed in the neck in connection to the conflict that broke out.
He was transported to the hospital in stable condition and is expected to survive.
Bonnie White told the New York Post that her vehicle was struck with a bullet: ‘There were shots fired, and my car got hit in the hood.
‘I just heard the shots fired, and I seen the guy. I’m p***ed. I’m so mad. I don’t know what’s going to happen to my car.’
Parents fled with their children in hand after a shooting broke out in Times Square in New York City
Video showed tourists sprinting away from at least two gunmen in New York City’s Times Square
The chaos erupted Thursday following the New York Knicks’ championship parade
Another witness described hearing the shots ring out: ‘Five shots. Bang bang bang bang bang. People started running. Everybody just took cover.
‘Once they apprehended him, it was back to normal. Now we over here eating shish kabab chilling.’
The shooting happened just yards from a parked police vehicle.
Diners at a nearby Raising Cane’s restaurant described their terror after hearing the first shots ring out.
Witness Aydan Spencer told CBS he saw, ‘a bunch of people running in carelessly.’
‘There’s children on the floor, it was loud. It was like it was right behind, right next to me. I just laid down on the floor.’
‘It sounded like glass was shattering ’cause people were rushing in, panicking,’ witness Michael Reid added.
The suspect was a 17-year-old, the NYPD told the Daily Mail.
A suspect was taking into custody and a firearm was recovered
The New York Knicks parade was held on Thursday following the teams first win in 53 years
Police confirmed a suspect is in custody and a firearm was recovered.
Around 10,000 police officers were deployed to secure the event honoring the Knicks’ first championship team in more than five decades.
The shooting comes shortly after the Big Apple descended into chaos following the Knicks finally ending their 53-year title drought on Saturday.
A 17-year-old was shot last weekend in the heart of Times Square police said, where fans were celebrating the Knicks’ final win over San Antonio.
Police took the victim to the hospital because an ambulance could not get through the crowds.
The alleged shooter is pending charges. Officials said that incident remains under investigation.
