Man Shot, Killed Outside Dream Hotel In Chelsea: Police

CHELSEA, NY — A man was shot in the stomach and killed early Thursday morning outside of a high-end hotel in Chelsea, according to police.

Byron Morales, 25, was hit by a bullet in the stomach outside of the Dream Downtown Hotel at 355 West 16th Street, police said. Emergency services took him to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he died, police added.

According to the NY Post, the bullet flew during a dispute between the 25-year-old and another man who took off afterward in a jeep with a group.

Dream Downtown Hotel is home to the immensely popular PHD Rooftop Lounge club. The Post also reported that Morales, a Brooklyn resident, was not a guest of the Chelsea hotel.

There are no arrests and the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

Mayor Bill de Blasio was asked about the Chelsea shooting during his Thursday press conference, specifically if gun violence would keep tourists from visiting New York City.

"Before I worry about tourism I’m first and foremost worried about the safety of all New Yorkers. But I also know we’re fighting back — the NYPD are doing more gun arrests than ever before, communities are working more closely with the NYPD again, we’re going to turn this around," de Blasio said. "I think you’re going to see this grow rapidly, people want to be here, people are coming back energetically. They know overwhelmingly it is a safe city and it is the best place on earth to visit."