Man shot near Washington Square Park after fights following Pride celebrations
GREENWICH VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) -- A 20-year-old man is recovering in the hospital after being shot multiple times near Washington Square Park.
Shots were fired around 2 a.m. as police cleared out the park when fights broke out after Pride celebrations.
Bullet markers could be seen on the ground Monday morning as investigators tried to piece together who fired those shots that left the young man shot in his buttocks and right hand.
Multiple fights had broken out on Sunday near the park when massive crowds showed up for Pride celebrations.
One woman was seen slamming another woman down onto the sticky, slippery pavement. Another woman is seen dragging a woman with red hair by her hair.
It was a heightened situation as officers worked to get the disorderly crowd under control.
Mayor Eric Adams commented later Monday morning about the NYPD's efforts to de-escalate the situation.
"Many people went to Washington Square Park. We had a couple thousand there. When I looked at the drones that were showing the park, we had about 15,000 there. Officers responded, they had a light touch, it just goes to show the discipline of the police department. We put necessary barriers in place and we made sure that people were able to have the end of the festivities without any major disruption," Adams said.
In all, 22 people were arrested during Pride and the aftermath. Sixteen people received desk appearances and were released while six remain in custody with charges pending.
"This is really crazy, Pride is not supposed to be like this," a witness said. "We're supposed to come out and enjoy and you know just love one another and come together. And we hope moving forward there will be no more violence and craziness going on."
Nearby business owners say they are concerned.
"They were like, 'I'm concerned because we didn't know that if we can open our business or something like that,'" business owner Andrea Blanco said.
The victim who suffered gunshot wounds to his buttocks and right hand was taken to a local hospital.
Surveillance video shows NYPD officers searching along Eight Street just after 2:30 a.m. Monday. Police continue to search for the gunman.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police.
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