The Greenwich Village area of New York City was rattled by violence on Sunday evening following the city's annual Pride March, resulting in two teenagers being hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Police responded to reports of gunfire at around 10:15 PM near the Stonewall Inn, a site known for its historical significance to the LGBTQ community. The shooting took place in the vicinity of the bar, which was crowded with people celebrating Pride.
A 16-year-old girl is in serious condition after suffering critical injuries, while a 17-year-old girl is stable after receiving medical attention. As of yet, no arrests have been made, and the police have not ascertained whether the incident was targeted or random. The number of suspects involved is currently unknown.
The incident was described by a witness who spoke to reporters, saying that the area was filled with people ready to continue the festivities when suddenly shots were heard, causing mass confusion and panic. This shooting occurred just hours after a separate incident at Washington Square Park, where a man was arrested for deploying bear spray into a crowd, injuring over 50 individuals and inciting a stampede among the crowd of approximately 10,000 Pride celebrants.
False rumors of gunfire exacerbated the chaos, leading to a dangerous situation as people rushed to limited exits. Police sources indicated that the bear spray attacker, who was shirtless at the time of the incident, claimed he acted in self-defense, believing he was about to be attacked.
Eyewitness accounts from the park detailed the rapid shift from festivity to fear, with many believing there was an active shooter on the scene. The evacuation was further complicated by event barricades, which, although intended to maintain order, ended up creating bottlenecks and trapping people.
Law enforcement is continuing the investigation into both violent occurrences. These incidents have cast a shadow over what is typically a celebration of diversity and acceptance, highlighting the vulnerability of public gatherings to sudden and terrifying disruptions.