Search on for gunman after 16-year-old shot in Manhattan
NEW YORK -- The NYPD said a 16-year-old was shot on Sunday afternoon in Harlem and a search is underway for the person responsible.
Frederick Douglass Boulevard between West 113th and 114th streets, where the gun violence erupted, was eventually reopened. Police said the victim is expected to survive.
Cellphone video shows good Samaritans rushing to help the teenager who, they said, was on the ground in the middle of the street.
"He fell to the ground on the street over here and he was bleeding from his stomach," witness Pascal Hogue said.
Police said the gunfire started near West 113th at around 2:30 p.m. Hogue said he was on his way to grab lunch when he heard the shots and saw the 16-year-old running.
"After the first pop, he was like, 'Call 911! Call 911!' He was just screaming and running," Hogue said.
Near West 114th that teenager dropped and good Samaritans called 911 while others rushed in and provided pressure and support to keep the victim calm.
"He was still moving. He was still pretty agitated, and it just created a whole commotion," Hogue said.
The teenager was rushed to the hospital and Frederick Douglass Boulevard was shut down as investigators canvassed the area for surveillance video. Witnesses said a group of teens were at a corner moments before the shooting and just after they all took off as the victim screamed for help.
"It's very disheartening on a Sunday afternoon. Its' a very peaceful day. Hopefully, the 16-year-old is okay," resident Kerry Samuels said.
For those who live in the area like Samuels, who has a young daughter, their sense of security is always heightened.
"I'm a New Yorker. I'm always looking around behind my back no matter where you go. It's not safe," Samuels said.
Police said the wounded teenager was taken into surgery and once he regains consciousness and is able to speak police will hopefully shed some light as to what happened moments before he was shot.