NEW YORK – A shooting incident outside a nightclub in New York City left ten individuals injured on Wednesday night. The gathering was a memorial event honoring a teenager who was previously murdered in the city.
According to police reports, a group of three or four men discharged approximately 30 rounds at a crowd congregated outside the Amazura Concert Hall in Jamaica, Queens, before fleeing in a vehicle.
The victims, comprising six females and four males aged between 16 and 20, were swiftly transported to local hospitals and are anticipated to make a full recovery, as per police updates.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards revealed that the club was hosting a private occasion celebrating the life of a teen who lost his life to violence in Brooklyn late last year. He condemned the assailants, stating they appeared intent on causing chaos and devastation.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her dismay over the event, commenting on social media that a memorial dedicated to a teen impacted by gun violence devolved into a scene of terror when gunfire erupted. “This cannot be our normal,” she emphasized.
So far, law enforcement has not disclosed any arrests related to the incident. Local images following the shooting depicted debris scattered on the ground, as police conducted an investigation, gathering evidence and taking photographs of the scene. Witnesses living nearby recounted hearing quick bursts of gunfire and the ensuing panic.
“It was bam, bam, bam, bam,” stated Maria Lopez. Initially, she mistook the sounds for fireworks, questioning the timing. “It’s too late in the evening for this, too late for it to be New Year’s celebrations,” she reflected.
Authorities reported that around 90 individuals were inside the establishment during the shooting, while approximately 15 were positioned outside. A neighborhood resident identified as Juan Alulema recounted, “It lasted about 10 seconds and then there was silence. I saw people screaming.”
The Amazura Concert Hall reached out to the community, urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to law enforcement.
In their statement shared on Instagram, the venue expressed sorrow over the tragic and isolated event, conveying their sympathies to all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
