21-year-old shot in broad daylight walking through Times Square

The man, who was reportedly an innocent bystander walking with his family in New York City, is recovering in the hospital and expected to survive.

JUNE 28, 2021 12:21

Updated: JUNE 28, 2021 12:22

Times Square (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons) — Times Square

(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

A 21-year-old man, who police described as an innocent bystander, was walking in Times Square with his family Sunday evening when he was shot, The New York Post reported.

The shooting took place outside the Marriot Marquis on Broadway, the largest hotel in New York City, The Post said.

According to local reports, the man, who was shot in the back, was rushed to Bellevue hospital and is expected to survive, adding that the New York Police Department (NYPD) is still on the hunt for two alleged suspects, local ABC affiliate WABC-TV reported.

The reports noted that it's believed the man was not the intended target of the shooting, rather that a dispute was taking place nearby between a group of men for an unknown reason.

On Sunday night, NYPD tweeted that people should avoid the area of West 45 Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan "due to police activity."

Due to police activity, please avoid the area of West 45 Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Expect delays in the surrounding area. pic.twitter.com/uZ4HEOM3iQ
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 27, 2021

The incident comes just as New York City began welcoming back tourists following the coronavirus pandemic, and occurred only feet from where a four-year-old girl was hit by gunfire last month.

NBC New York reported that the Brooklyn girl was shot in the leg by stray bullets when an individual later identified as Farrakhan Muhammad opened fire during a quarrel in Times Square on May 8.