An unidentified gunman, riding an illegal scooter without a license plate, opened fire at multiple locations in Jamaica, Queens, and Brooklyn.
The NYPD announced that a 25-year-old man was taken into custody and found in possession of a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine.
During a news conference, Assistant Chief Joseph Kenny from the NYPD's Detective Bureau stated that the motive behind the shootings remains unknown, and the incidents appear to be random.
Video evidence suggests that the suspect was not specifically targeting anyone but instead randomly shooting at people while riding his scooter.
All four victims of the shootings were male. The incidents occurred over a span of about 30 minutes, beginning at around 11:10 a.m. in Brooklyn.
The first victim, a 21-year-old man, was shot in the left shoulder and is expected to survive. Detectives found a 9mm shell casing at the scene.
Seventeen minutes later, the same suspect allegedly shot an 87-year-old man in the back in Queens.
The elderly victim was taken to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Witnesses reported another shooting incident where no one was hit by gunfire, but a man on a scooter was seen randomly firing at a group of people.
The fourth shooting occurred at 11:35 a.m., when a 44-year-old man was shot in the cheek and is now in critical condition.
Less than a minute later, a 63-year-old man was shot in the right shoulder and is currently in stable condition after being hospitalized.
According to the NYPD, the suspect used the same weapon in all five shooting incidents. The individual had a prior arrest in New York City.
Police were able to apprehend the suspect quickly by sharing his image with nearby officers and urging them to be on the lookout.
Authorities are investigating whether the firearm used was defaced or if it is a ghost gun, as no serial number has been found. In addition, extended magazines are illegal in New York.
The recent crime spikes in New York City have been a concern since the pandemic. The NYPD reported a significant increase in major crimes last year, including a rise in murder rates. The investigation into these random shootings is ongoing.
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