Police search for group of gunmen behind Queens mass shooting
NEW YORK - The NYPD is still searching for four suspects they say injured 10 people in a mass shooting outside a Queens nightclub on New Year’s Day.
The incident happened late Wednesday night outside Amazura nightclub in Jamaica, where a private event was being held.
Queens nightclub mass shooting
Six women and four men were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, the NYPD said.
According to police, around 15 people were standing outside the nightclub at approximately 11:15 p.m.
The group, consisting of individuals aged 16 to 20, was waiting to enter the venue’s upstairs area, which was at capacity with about 90 attendees. Four men approached the crowd on foot and opened fire.
About 30 shots were fired before the gunmen fled on foot, the NYPD said.
Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera reported during a Thursday morning press conference that three to four gunmen fired more than 30 shots into the group. The shooters then fled the scene on foot before getting into a light-colored sedan with out-of-state plates.
"Four males were walking eastbound on 91st Ave. onto 144th Place towards the venue," Rivera explained. "Three to four males then opened fire over 30 times in the direction of the group standing outside the event space, striking multiple victims."
6 women, 4 men injured in shooting
Six women and four men suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals. All the victims are expected to recover.
While the motive remains unclear, Rivera emphasized that "this is not terrorism." Investigators are exploring whether the shooting may have been gang-related.
The NYPD has since released images of the suspects and is urging anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
The investigation remains ongoing.