A former employee of a computer repair store on the Upper West Side of New York City opened fire on his ex-boss in broad daylight, then fled the scene through subway tunnels, according to local sources. The disgruntled ex-worker shot the 47-year-old man twice, once in the shoulder and once in the leg, at the intersection of West 69th Street and Columbus Avenue around 9:20 a.m.
The victim and the shooter had previously worked together at Lincoln Business Machines Incorporated, a nearby business. The shooter, who had been working remotely, was recently terminated from his position, according to local store owners.
The victim was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital and is currently in stable condition. Following the shooting, the assailant fled into the 72nd Street train station, where he managed to evade capture by hiding under a train in the tunnel.
The incident caused significant disruption to the morning commute for many subway riders. Passengers on one train were instructed to lie on the floor and then evacuate the train as police searched for the shooter. One commuter captured images of people huddled on the ground and walking through the darkened tunnel, sharing her unsettling experience on social media.
The suspect, still at large, is described as a man in his 40s last seen wearing a black hoodie, green jacket, tan pants, and carrying a black firearm.
A resident living above the computer repair shop witnessed the escalating tension between the shooter and his former employer. She described a heated argument over money that began inside the store and continued outside, culminating in the shooting.
The victim, known to locals as a regular part of the neighborhood, was remembered fondly by a neighboring pizza shop owner. The shock of the violent incident reverberated through the community, with residents expressing disbelief that such an event could occur in their typically peaceful neighborhood.