16-year-old Manhattan schoolboy shot in head, police launch manhunt for suspects who 'fled on Citi bike'
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: In a tragic incident unfolding in the heart of downtown Manhattan, a 16-year-old schoolboy was shot in the head on Tuesday afternoon, May 7, sparking a citywide manhunt for the suspects believed to have fled the scene on a Citibike.
The shooting occurred around 2:30 pm on Spring Street in the Soho neighborhood, as reported by ABC7.
NYPD responds to disturbing 911 call of teen shooting scene
Officers swiftly responded to the scene, situated adjacent to the Dominick Hotel, following a distress call to 911. Upon arrival, they found the victim unconscious, having sustained not only a gunshot wound to the head but also to the thigh, as confirmed by the NYPD.
The 16-year-old victim was swiftly transported to Bellevue Hospital. However, despite medical efforts, he was tragically pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
JUST IN: 16-year-old boy shot in the head in Manhattan by a suspect on a Citibike.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 7, 2024
The shooting reportedly took place in Soho outside of a high-end hotel.
Law enforcement has indicated that the shooting was "school-related" and said the victim was rushed to the hospital where… pic.twitter.com/4gbJy5goC5
Insights into circumstances surrounding tragic shooting
Law enforcement sources hinted at the possibility of the shooting being "school-related," reported ABC. Eyewitness accounts suggest that two suspects made a hasty getaway on a single Citibike, fleeing the bustling shopping district where the incident occurred.
Moreover, the victim was in the company of friends in a public courtyard on Spring Street near Varick Street when a dispute erupted with another group of teens, according to the New York Daily News.
Victim attempted to intervene in brawl before fatal shooting
Police sources disclosed that the altercation initially involved two groups of girls, with the victim attempting to intervene before he was mercilessly shot.
The suspect brandished a firearm and fired shots, striking the victim once in the back of the head and twice in the leg, according to NBC New York. The severity of the injuries sustained both to the head and thigh.
Additionally, the shooting transpired in close proximity to Broome Street Academy, prompting investigators to explore whether any of the involved teens were affiliated with the school. Presently, the police are diligently pursuing leads to apprehend at least two suspects, with no arrests made as of yet.
