Times Square, one of New York City’s busiest tourist destinations, was the scene of chaos early Saturday (August 9) morning after a triple shooting left three people injured — two of them innocent bystanders. According to police, the violence erupted just after 1 a.m. near 44th Street and Seventh Avenue, when a 17-year-old suspect allegedly got into an argument with a 19-year-old man before pulling out a gun and opening fire.
The gunfire struck not only the intended target but also a 36-year-old man who was hit in the leg and an 18-year-old tourist who was shot in the neck. Witnesses described the terrifying moments, recalling the deafening “boom, boom” of the shots amid the shoulder-to-shoulder summer crowd. “What can I do? I work, I make money, what can I do? But it’s not safe for me,” one vendor told reporters, saying he had seen shootings in the area before and now leaves his safety “up to God.”
Some Times Square vendors say violence in the area has been on the rise, pointing to previous incidents like a December 2023 fight that escalated dangerously. Still, many believe it’s nearly impossible to get away with such acts in a place so heavily monitored. “You can run, but you cannot hide… you’re never, ever going to get away with these things,” one worker said, noting the massive police presence and security cameras covering the area.
The teenage suspect was quickly apprehended and now faces a long list of charges, including attempted murder — despite no fatalities — due to what police say was his clear intent to kill the 19-year-old during the confrontation. For tourists like Lewis, who had been planning a visit with his mother, the shooting was a sobering reminder of the risks. “It sucks… just because there’s little that is being done,” he said, adding that the incident changed how he views visiting the iconic spot.
Source: YouTube
