A would-be shoplifter shot and wounded a tourist at a Times Square store in New York Thursday night and also fired at police officers pursuing him as he successfully fled the scene.
A 37-year-old woman shopping at the store, said to be JD Sports on Broadway, was taken to Bellevue Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg and is expected to recover, a source told WNBC.
Police said the incident began just after 7 p.m. when three people entered the store and went upstairs, where they started shoving items into a shopping bag. Two of the people went back downstairs, and when they did, a security officer stopped them and took the shopping bag. Then one of the suspects pulled out a gun and fired.
This is the individual who displayed a firearm and shot at security, striking an innocent bystander. While fleeing, he also fired at an NYPD Police Officer. There is a reward of up to $10,000. Any info, DM or call @NYPDTips at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls are confidential. https://t.co/y76hYbZIVQ pic.twitter.com/vhIrm9hFB8
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 9, 2024
He missed the security officer but struck the tourist.
Both suspects fled the store and were spotted at 47th Street and 7th Avenue by police, who took one of them — a 15-year-old — into custody. The other suspect, who was the one who fired inside the store, took off toward 6th Avenue and cut between two buildings, firing twice at the officer pursuing him.
Police said the officer did not return fire.
The suspect entered a subway station at 46th Street and 6th Avenue and later left the station, but police lost track of him.
The 15-year-old is being questioned as a person of interest.
A large swath of Times Square and the surrounding area was shut down for the investigation.
Police said a $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to the suspect.
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[Featured image: New York Police Department]
