Teen Gunman Sparks Manhunt After Times Square Shooting
A 15-year-old gunman has sparked a manhunt after shooting and injuring a tourist in Times Square and firing at a responding officer. The incident unfolded when three teenage boys, two aged 15 and one 16, entered JD Sports, a clothing and sneaker store, and began stealing merchandise. As they attempted to leave, a female security guard confronted them and retrieved the stolen items. Subsequently, the 15-year-old suspect fired a .45-caliber handgun, intending to shoot the security guard, but instead, he struck a 37-year-old woman visiting from Brazil. The victim, who was shot just above her left knee, sought refuge in a storage room before being taken to the hospital in stable condition. The gunman then fled the scene and fired two shots at a pursuing officer, who fortunately was unharmed. The suspect managed to escape to a subway station and remains at large, prompting authorities to label him as "extremely dangerous."
The 16-year-old boy who was with the gunman at the clothing store is in custody, and investigators are determining his involvement in the incident. Additionally, the 15-year-old who did not fire the weapon at the store was interviewed and released by the police. Notably, the gunman is also a suspect in an armed robbery in the Bronx and a "shots fired" incident in Midtown Manhattan. Police have revealed that the suspect is from Venezuela and arrived in the U.S. in September.
The search for the teenage gunman has sparked widespread concern, with law enforcement agencies emphasizing the urgency of capturing the suspect. The incident has also prompted strong reactions from officials, with NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry condemning the attack and emphasizing the need to apprehend the perpetrator immediately. The ongoing manhunt has put the city on edge, and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to aid in the apprehension of the suspect.
Source : News Agencies