US : Times Square Shooting Triggers Chaos As People Rush for Safety, Watch Video

19th June 2026 at 10:19 AM

2 minutes read

New York : Tourists and other people in New York’s Times Square rushed to safety on Thursday after several gunshots were heard, causing panic and chaos. Police said they quickly chased and caught the suspected shooter. The Fire Department said one person was taken to a hospital, but did not provide any further information.

The shooting happened at around 3:40 pm local time, shortly after a parade celebrating the NBA champion New York Knicks drew large crowds to the streets of Lower Manhattan. Authorities said about 10,000 police officers had been deployed to provide security for the event, which honoured the Knicks’ first NBA title in 53 years.

A viral video appears to show the moments before the shooting. The aerial footage of Times Square, a busy tourist spot, shows a normal day with people sitting in cafes and walking around. It also shows a group of boys playing and dribbling a football. Suddenly, multiple gunshots are heard, and people can be seen running away in panic.

A police van was seen nearby, and when the gunfire started, officers quickly got out and began speaking into their walkie-talkies. Within seconds, the area was cleared as people ran away. A webcam video showed at least two people dressed in black entering a busy intersection and firing what appeared to be handguns.

WATCH: Another angle captures the moment gunfire erupted in Times Square, sending people scrambling for cover.#TimesSquare #NewYorkCity #NYC #BreakingNews #Shooting #CrimeNews #Manhattan https://t.co/huYHNU3fbO pic.twitter.com/82Skr0dwIc
— The Globe & News (@TheGlobeNewt) June 19, 2026

Panic spread as bystanders rushed to escape or took cover while the suspects fled down the street. Police officers who were patrolling the tourist area chased the suspects as they ran away. The shooting happened just a few metres from a parked police vehicle.

Police said the gunfire began after a fight broke out involving several people, according to the New York Post. Witnesses reported hearing about five shots, the newspaper added. The incident came just days after another shooting in Times Square.

Police said a 17-year-old was shot in the same area last weekend while fans were celebrating the Knicks’ victory over San Antonio. The victim was taken to hospital because an ambulance could not reach the scene due to heavy crowds.