Search on for shooter after 4 shot in Queens
ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) -- Police are investigating after multiple people were shot Tuesday afternoon when a suspect fired into a crowd.
At least four men were shot in the rear of 34-03 21st Street, near the Ravenswood Houses, just before 5 p.m.
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Police say a 21-year-old was shot in the head, a 17-year-old was shot in the back, a 19-year-old was shot in the leg and an 18-year-old was also shot, but it is unclear where.
All of the victims are stable except for the 21-year-old.
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The suspect exited his blue Jeep and fired at the crowd of people in the courtyard, which features a playground, police say.
"I was kind of terrified because shootings have been going up all around the city," said Ahmed Chowdhury.
Crime stats for July underscore what residents are feeling. Last month, there were 244 shooting incidents in the city. Compared to July of 2019, there were 88 - that is a 177 percent increase.
The anti-crime unit, which was supposed to take guns off the streets, was disbanded in June. These numbers show it followed by a surge in gun violence, which the mayor blames on COVID.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
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As bullets continue to fly, detectives say they are trying to determine if this latest one was gang-related.
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