A 17-year-old boy is in custody after police say he opened fire in the heart of Times Square on Monday evening, wounding three people and sending crowds scrambling for cover.
The incident occurred shortly after 6:45 p.m., when the bustling tourist hub was packed with theatergoers, shoppers, and street performers. According to the NYPD, the suspect produced a handgun during an apparent dispute and fired multiple rounds near the intersection of 7th Avenue and West 46th Street.
Two men, ages 24 and 32, and a 19-year-old woman were struck by gunfire. All three victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital and are expected to survive.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the shots rang out. “It was like a stampede,” said Laura Kim, a tourist from California. “People were screaming and running in every direction. We ducked behind a food cart until it stopped.”
Police officers patrolling nearby responded within moments, chasing the suspect on foot before apprehending him a block away. A 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene.
“This is yet another example of the dangers illegal firearms pose to our city,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said at a late-night press briefing. “Thanks to the swift actions of our officers, the suspect was apprehended before more lives were put at risk.”
Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name due to his age. Charges are pending, including multiple counts of attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Times Square, one of the most heavily visited locations in the country, has seen heightened police presence in recent years following a series of high-profile incidents. Monday’s shooting is expected to renew calls for increased youth intervention programs and stricter gun laws.
