Tourist shot at Times Square clothing store during robbery gone wrong
A massive manhunt is underway for the gunman responsible for shooting a tourist and firing at an officer inside a store in Times Square.
According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, officers responded to a shooting inside JD Sports just after 7 p.m. Thursday. Suspects on the second floor of the store were observed stealing clothing and possibly sneakers and at stashing the items into a bag.
As two of the three men attempted to leave the store, a female loss prevention employee confronted them, managing to retrieve the stolen property. However, one of the suspects, described as between 15 and 20 years old, drew a gun from a shoulder strap bag and fired a shot toward the loss prevention officer. Regrettably, the bullet missed the officer and struck an innocent bystander, a 37-year-old woman from Brazil, in the leg. She was promptly transported to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to recover.
The suspects, including the gunman, fled the scene. During the pursuit, the shooter fired twice at another officer, fortunately missing both times. Due to the crowded area, the officer refrained from returning fire.
The suspect ultimately escaped into a nearby subway station.
One of the three men was apprehended by police, while the 15-year-old among them was questioned and subsequently released. The individual, a migrant resident of the Stewart Hotel, was identified by authorities.
Chief Chell emphasized the urgency of locating the shooter, who posed a significant threat by targeting officers and injuring an innocent bystander.
Police are also seeking to interview a second individual who was accompanying the gunman.
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