A man was shot near Washington Square Park in the early hours of Monday morning, following a series of altercations in the area, police reported. The victim, a 20-year-old male, is currently in stable condition after being shot in the buttocks and right hand, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Late-Night Shooting Leaves One Injured

The shooting occurred around 2 a.m., just hours after multiple fights broke out at Washington Square Park, a popular public space in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City. Authorities have not confirmed if the shooting was connected to the earlier disturbances in the park. The man was quickly transported to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover. The NYPD continues to investigate the incident, seeking to determine whether it was related to the fights that erupted earlier in the evening.

Fights Erupt Amid Pride Celebrations

Washington Square Park saw a chaotic scene as several fights broke out among the large crowds gathered for Pride celebrations. Despite reports of people wearing Pride gear and holding Pride flags, the NYPD stated that there was no official Pride event taking place at the time of the altercations. Videos circulating on social media capture the mayhem, showing multiple fights breaking out amid the crowd. The footage depicts a disturbing contrast to the usual spirit of Pride celebrations, which aim to promote love, acceptance, and unity.

A witness interviewed by ABC7 expressed their dismay at the violence: “This is crazy. Pride is not supposed to be like this. We’re supposed to come out and enjoy and you know just love one another and come together. And we hope moving forward there will be no more violence and craziness going on.” In total, 22 people were arrested during the event, according to the NYPD. The reasons for these arrests have not been detailed, but they are presumably linked to the fights and subsequent disorder.

Calls for Peace and Unity After the Incident

In the wake of the incident, there have been calls for peace and a return to the core values of the Pride movement. Many in the community hope that such violent outbursts will not mar future celebrations and that the focus will remain on unity and mutual support.

Washington Square Park has long been a symbolic gathering place for various social and cultural events in New York City, particularly during Pride Month. This recent violence has sparked a conversation about ensuring safety and preserving the peaceful nature of such events.