TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WPIX) — Two women and a 4-year-old girl were shot in Times Square Saturday, and officers were looking for at least one suspect, according to the NYPD.
The victims were shot at about 4:55 p.m. at 45th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, authorities said. The suspect discharged his weapon three times.
The 4-year-old girl, from Brooklyn, was shot in the leg. A Rhode Island woman, in town to see the Statue of Liberty, was also shot in the leg and a New Jersey woman was shot in the foot, officials said.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said the girl was in Times Square purchasing toys with her family when she was shot. He commended her for her bravery as an officer was seen carrying the victim to an ambulance.
“When is this going to end? How many people have to be injured before we take this seriously?” a frustrated Shea said Saturday evening.
Police did not recover a gun at the scene, but three shell casings from a .25 caliber were found on West 45th Street. As the police commissioner blamed bail reform and other policies for allowing criminals back out on the streets too quickly, he promised to make safety a top priority.
It wasn’t immediately clear on Saturday if the gunman was out on bail or had benefited from bail reform.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the victims were in stable condition and police were tracking down suspects.
Police said the victims appeared to be innocent bystanders and that a preliminary investigation indicated the shooting began with two to four people in a dispute. Shea said none of the victims knew each other.
Surveillance video showed people running from the scene as what sounded like three gunshots rang out in the background.
No arrests had been made, as of Saturday evening. Police released a photo of the suspect.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).