Ten people were hurt when two gunmen fired more than 40 shots on a crowded street in a New York City neighborhood in a brazen gang-related shooting, police said Sunday.
The New York City Police Department said the victims, whose ages range from 19 to 72, are now receiving treatment in local hospitals and were expecting to survive.
NYPD investigators said the shooting appeared to be connected to gang violence and seven of the victims were innocent bystanders, including a 72-year-old man, ABC News reported.
"An initial report shows two males approached eastbound on the sidewalk on the north side of 37th Avenue from 97th Street while brandishing firearms," Assistant Chief Galen Frierson, of the NYPD's Patrol Borough Queens North, said in quotes by CNN.
"The shooters advanced toward the crowd, firing numerous shots before jumping back on two scooters driven by two other males and fleeing the scene," Frierson added.
Below is the gun recovered from the suspect after tonight’s shooting. pic.twitter.com/Vt0VQWZzKe — NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 31, 2021
The gunfire hit people outside a barbershop as well as innocent bystanders, including people celebrating a birthday party for a nearby restaurant owner, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.
At least 37 bullet shell casings were found, but Essig said police were combing the scene of the crime for evidence and suspect the shooters fired more shots.
Police are now on the hunt for the four gunmen they suspect are behind the shooting. They are described as males who were hooded sweatshirts and face masks.
"I was at home relaxing and I heard the shots, 'boom-boom-boom,' like 10," Josephine Cepim, 58, who resides a few blocks away from the scene, said, according to Daily News. "I said 'Oh my God.'"
Essig said the incident followed "reoccurring themes" authorities have recently noticed as New York City has witnessed an alarming increase in gun violence.
Meanwhile, NYPD Chief of Patrol Juanita Holmes asked the public to help police catch the shooters and their getaway drivers.
