3 Shot In Times Square, Including Child; Gunman On Loose: NYPD

TIMES SQUARE, NY — Two women and a four-year-old girl were shot in Times Square after a dispute between several men turned violent just before 5 p.m. Saturday, police said. A gunman was still at large as of Saturday night.

The shooting happened around 4:55 p.m. at West 44th and Seventh Avenue, after a man pulled out a gun during an argument between roughly four men, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters Saturday evening.

The victims included the girl, who lives in Brooklyn and was in Manhattan buying toys with her family; a 23-year-old tourist from Rhode Island who came to Times Square after discovering that the Statue of Liberty was closed; and a 43-year-old New Jersey woman.

The girl was shot in the leg and expected to undergo surgery at Bellevue Hospital, Shea said. The other victims were reportedly hospitalized in stable condition. The three victims did not know each other.

Police released surveillance footage showing a man identified as a person of interest in the shooting. Authorities asked anyone with information to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

"The perpetrators of this senseless violence are being tracked down and the NYPD will bring them to justice," Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted. "The flood of illegal guns into our city must stop."

WANTED in connection to shooting three people near West 44th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan on May 8, 2021. @NYPDDetectives need anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of this individual to contact @NYPDTips at #800577TIPS. All calls are anonymous. pic.twitter.com/qciBGCR6AK
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 9, 2021

The normally packed thoroughfare was almost completely emptied out as police canvassed the area in the hours after the shooting. Shea said Times Square would be reopened "later this evening."

Police Activity: Expect traffic delays, road closures, and a heavy presence of emergency personnel in the area of West 44th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Avoid the area.
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) May 8, 2021

Due to a police investigation avoid 44 Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Expect a police presence in Times Square and residual traffic delays in the surrounding area. pic.twitter.com/6G3zjXZ00e
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 8, 2021

Patch reporter Nick Garber contributed.