17-year-old boy stabbed during apparent dispute in Times Square; several people in custody
TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Several people were taken into custody after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed during an apparent dispute in Times Square on Thursday, according to police.
Officers responded to 251 W. 42nd St. for a reported stabbing around 5:30 p.m.
They found a 17-year-old boy with a stab wound to the lower back.
Police say the victim and suspect got into an apparent dispute prior to the stabbing.
He was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in stable condition.
Seven persons of interest have been taken into custody, and police are looking for 10 additional males, according to authorities.
"I saw someone running and the cops follow him," said Belal Mohamed," a vendor nearby, who saw officers taking down a suspect and arresting him. "I was scared because I see someone with blood coming from everywhere, from the back."
Police later recovered the knife nearby and what appeared to be a part of a broom handle.
Meanwhile, less than two hours later, another dispute in Times Square took place around 7:25 p.m.
Police say a 28-year-old man was assaulted following a verbal dispute with three men outside the Hard Rock Café in front of 1501 Broadway.
They say the man was punched and kicked in the face and head.
All three suspects were taken into custody at the scene.
The 28-year-old victim was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where he's expected to survive.
Police sources told Eyewitness News that the two incidents don't appear to be connected.
Investigations are ongoing in both attacks.
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