Two teenage girls were shot near the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village late Sunday evening, just hours after the conclusion of the city’s Pride Parade, authorities said.
A 16-year-old girl was critically injured, while a 17-year-old was listed in stable condition. Both were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment, according to NYPD.
The shooting occurred around 10:15 p.m. near Sheridan Square, just steps from the landmark LGBTQ+ bar that had hosted Pride-related events throughout the day and into the evening. Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the vicinity and secured the scene shortly after.
Police have not yet determined a motive. It remains unclear whether the shooting was targeted or possibly related to a hate crime. No arrests have been made as of early Monday, and the investigation is ongoing.
“There were people everywhere. We were getting ready to party through the night, and then all of a sudden—boom, boom, boom. Everyone dropped or ran. It was complete pandemonium,” a witness told the New York Post.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the incident on social media shortly after midnight. “During a time when our city should be rejoicing and celebrating members of our diverse LGBTQ+ community, incidents like this are devastating,” he wrote. “We’re praying for the speedy recovery of the victims in tonight’s shooting. The NYPD will work quickly and tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice.”
The gunfire came just hours after a separate Pride-related scare unfolded at Washington Square Park, where a false report of shots fired caused a stampede. A shirtless man reportedly unleashed pepper spray, or possibly bear spray, into the crowd, triggering panic and chaos. Police took the man into custody at the scene.
According to NYPD sources, more than 50 people were injured during the rush to escape, either from the crowd surge or exposure to the chemical agent. At this time, investigators say there is no evidence linking the two incidents.
The Stonewall Inn, designated a National Historic Landmark, holds deep significance for the LGBTQ+ community. In June 1969, the bar was the site of the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the modern gay rights movement. Throughout Pride Month, the venue regularly hosts events, gatherings, and commemorations.
