Three individuals were shot and injured in Times Square, according to the New York Police Department on Saturday. The victims—a young woman aged 18, a man aged 19, and a 65-year-old man—are currently in stable condition at the hospital, stated an NYPD spokesperson.
A 17-year-old male suspect has been detained, and law enforcement recovered a firearm from the scene. The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. Eastern Time (5:20 a.m. GMT), following an argument with one of the victims. Authorities have so far not determined whether the shooter knew the victims.
Mass shootings are a frequent issue in the U.S., where gun access is widespread. This shooting at one of New York’s most famous tourist destinations comes a month after a high-profile shooting in a Manhattan office tower that resulted in four deaths, including a senior executive from Blackstone and an NYPD officer.
In the first seven months of this year, New York reported fewer shooting incidents and victims than ever before, according to a police statement issued on August 4. Crime remains a major topic during the city’s upcoming mayoral election in November.