Late Saturday night, a man was assaulted in a Manhattan park by two armed individuals riding a moped. The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was with a female companion at the time of the incident. They were seated on a rock by the Hudson River in Fort Washington Park when the two assailants approached them around 11:50 p.m.
The encounter quickly escalated into a physical altercation, during which one of the moped riders fired a shot, striking the man in the face. In response, the victim drew his own firearm and fired two shots at the fleeing suspects, who managed to escape on their moped to an unknown location.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed these details, adding that the victim was able to return fire at his attackers as they fled the scene. The direction of the shots fired by the victim was towards the suspects, who managed to escape on their motorized vehicle.
The victim’s condition, while serious due to the facial gunshot wound, is not considered life-threatening. He is expected to survive the attack, according to the NYPD. The female companion was unharmed during the incident.
The NYPD is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. As of now, the suspects remain at large and the motive behind the attack is unclear. The NYPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
The incident underscores the ongoing issue of gun violence in the city, and the audacity of criminals who are willing to commit such acts in public spaces. It also raises questions about the safety of public parks, particularly during late hours.