A 22-year-old man has been shot and killed during rush hour in New York's famous Times Square - in a scene that sparked panic across one of the busiest parts of the US city.
The young man, who hasn't been identified as of yet, was shot in the chest at around 5.30pm local time (10.30pm UK) on Thursday.
The shooting prompted a massive police scene. Authorities said it occurred after a fight between him and two other men, one of whom had a gun and fired once at him.
The victim then ran a full city block before he collapsed in front of a deli at 43rd Street and 8th Avenue, where he begged a worker to call 911.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene and paramedics attempted to revive him with CPR multiple times.
He was then taken to Mount Sinai West hospital nearby, where he underwent emergency surgery. But, sadly, he later succumbed to his wound.
As the investigation continues, it remains unclear if the victim was targeted in the attack. Police are on the look for two suspects, believed to be drug dealers, a source told the New York Post.
Police shut down 8th Avenue for hours as dozens of officers searched for clues into the shooting. However, no arrests have been made as of yet.
A bypasser who saw the man on the ground told amNewYork Metro: "I thought it was an OD because there are people doing drugs around here all the time, but a police officer told me it was not an OD.
"He looked dead—he was lying there lifeless, and the cops or paramedics were trying to bring him back to life."
Another witness, Will Colon told New York Daily News: "It was a couple of young dudes who shot him. His body was laid right out on the sidewalk.
"He was face-up shaking. It didn't look like he was going to make it."
He described that dozens of people ran away terrified at the gunshot in the crowded tourist hub.
“There was a stampede of people trying to get away,” he said. “When medics got to his he was in cardiac arrest,” a police source added.
Another witness, Steve, who didn't want to share his last name, was shocked by the incident.
He told the New York Post: “I could have been the one. That’s my thought. I could have been the one.
“I have a daughter at home, my wife at home. Like I could have been the one. So I’m happy that I am not the one; that I’m here and it’s scary.”
