New York City's iconic Times Square descended into chaos on Thursday afternoon when a suspected gunman allegedly opened fire in the bustling tourist destination, sending crowds fleeing in terror.
Footage Captures Moment of Panic
Video recorded by a surveillance camera overlooking the square shows tourists enjoying their day when five sharp cracks suddenly pierce the air. The crowd immediately disperses, with visitors racing toward buildings and around corners to escape the open-air plaza. Screams and cries ring out amid the pandemonium.
Some pedestrians, seized by fear, bolt into the road, where vehicles continue crawling down Seventh Avenue, motorists cautiously maneuvering through the scattering crowds. Others appear bewildered, standing frozen in the middle of the road or the square, uncertain which way to go or what action to take.
Within seconds, the normally crowded tourist hotspot clears, leaving only a handful of individuals lingering at the periphery of the central plaza.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred at 3:37 p.m. on Thursday, according to a New York Police Department spokesperson who addressed Daily Express US.
"At approximately 15:37 hours, police responded to shots fired in the vicinity of 43rd St. and Seventh Avenue," the spokesperson confirmed.
"Officers observed an individual discharging a firearm into the crowd," the spokesperson added. A man was subsequently detained, and authorities recovered a firearm at the scene, though it remained unclear whether the weapon was linked to the suspect.
No injuries were reported, and the NYPD has launched an investigation into the incident.
Witness Account
Additional footage captured at street level shows a man recounting the chaotic scenes in the busy tourist hotspot. He describes individuals fighting among the crowd moments before shots ring out directly ahead of him. Onlookers are seen instantly fleeing the scene, almost knocking into him as he records the incident. He tells viewers that he has just witnessed a shooting.
The incident occurred mere hours after the New York Knicks' championship parade, adding to the heightened activity in the area.
