NEW YORK — A man died following he was shot near Times Square Thursday night, police said. This just days before the popular tourist spot is set to broadcast the Super Bowl Sunday on a huge digital screen via TSX Entertainment.
The shooting occurred shortly following 5:30 p.m. Thursday, near 44th Street y Eighth Avenue, according to the uniformed It was not clear what led to the shooting, but the victim was struck by a bullet. Responding officers located the 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the right side of the chest.
There was a large police presence outside a Shake Shack, where the shots were fired, according to police.
He then ran a block before collapsing in front of a Deli in West 43rd Street and was taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital with serious injuries, authorities said. The victim was declared dead at the hospital, according to police sources.
The events occur days before an event to broadcast the Super Bowl will take place near the crime scene. TSX Entertainment will show the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on a massive 18,000-square-foot digital screen overlooking Times Square at the corner of Seventh Avenue y 47th Street, in the TSX’s relatively new flagship location. A few blocks from the shooting.
The shooting raises concerns regarding the type of security provided in one of the busiest areas of the Big Apple, not only because of the Times Square tourist spot, but also because the Porth Authority bus terminal is located.
The event also comes months following the city imposed new limits to keep Times Square gun-free. The mayor signed a bill in October 2022 that establishes the limits of the area of Times Square in which the carrying of firearms is prohibited, even for those who have a permit.
The law goes into effect Thursday and prohibits the use of firearms in some areas such as Times Square. Luis Alejandro Medina with the details.
With this in mind, the authorities are expected to give more details regarding security and how it will be handled during major city events in this area.
Footage from nearby security cameras showed crowds scrambling on the sidewalk to get away from the commotion of Thursday night’s shooting.
No arrests have yet been made and police are searching for two people in connection with the shooting. The identity of the victim is also unknown.
This is a case under investigation.
