10 Shot at New York City Event - Multiple Suspects at Large
The New York Police Department is investigating a shooting that injured 10 teenagers late Wednesday night in Jamaica, Queens.
According to CBS News, the victims, aged 16 to 19, were standing outside the Amazura Concert Hall just after 11:15 p.m. when four armed individuals approached and opened fire.
The attackers reportedly fled the scene in a gray Infiniti Q50 with New Jersey plates, as reported by WABC-TV.
Over 30 shots were fired into the unsuspecting group.
“Officers responded to the multiple 911 calls and found a total of 10 victims — six females, four males — who were taken to area hospitals. All of the victims are expected to recover with non-life-threatening injuries,” NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera stated, per CBS.
The teenagers sustained injuries to various parts of their bodies, including the leg, arm, back, buttocks, and foot.
Inside the Amazura venue, which was operating at full capacity with about 90 attendees, a crowd of 15 people was gathered outside when the shooting began. The event was a birthday vigil honoring Taearion Mungo, a 16-year-old who was fatally shot in October.
“There is zero tolerance for these senseless shootings, these acts of violence. Those responsible will be brought to justice,” Rivera added, according to WABC-TV.
While authorities are investigating whether the shooting was gang-related, they have ruled out terrorism as a motive.
“Ten families woke up this morning to some of the most devastating news one could imagine receiving — their loved one had been shot,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, as reported by CBS.
“My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted as they navigate this life-changing ordeal, and I’m relieved that seemingly no lives will be lost due to this despicable shooting.
“I have been in constant communication with law enforcement, and while it does not appear this incident has a Queens nexus, under no circumstance will we allow any example of gun violence in our borough to go unpunished.
“I’m confident that those who perpetrated this heinous act will be arrested and held accountable for their actions,” he said.
The Amazura Concert Hall expressed its condolences in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the recent and unfortunate isolated incident that occurred. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless act. We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation and to help bring those responsible to justice.”
The NYPD is urging anyone with information to contact its Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Anonymous tips can also be submitted through their website.