The shooting happened just after 10 p.m. Sunday on 57th Street and Sixth Avenue.
Detectives believe the man shot himself and then falsely reported that someone wearing all black shot him.
The 27-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound before officers rushed him to Mount Sinai West for treatment.
He is listed in critical condition but is expected to survive.
The man will likely be charged with criminal possession of a weapon and falsely reporting an incident, officials said.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More Manhattan news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube