A shooting outside the historic Stonewall Inn during Pride celebrations left two teenage girls injured and triggered chaos among revelers.
At a Glance
- Two girls, aged 16 and 17, were shot near the Stonewall Inn at Sheridan Square around 10:15 p.m. Sunday.
- The 16-year-old suffered a head wound and remains in critical condition; the 17-year-old was shot in the leg and is stable.
- Earlier that evening, six people were injured in Washington Square Park after a stampede triggered by bear spray and false gunfire reports.
- No arrests have been made; motive is still unknown, and police are investigating whether it was a hate crime.
- Mayor Eric Adams called the incident “devastating” and promised swift action from NYPD.
Shooting Shatters Pride
Just as New York City’s Pride march was winding down, gunfire erupted near Sheridan Square, steps from the iconic Stonewall Inn. Two teenage girls were struck—one suffered a critical head injury, the other a gunshot wound to the leg. Witnesses described “complete pandemonium” as terrified crowds ducked and ran in all directions, according to The Guardian.
Police recovered a firearm at the scene, but no arrests have been made. Investigators are actively probing the motive, with growing speculation the attack could constitute a hate crime during Pride festivities, as reported by Newsweek.
Watch a report: Stonewall Shooting Coverage
Bear Spray Stampede
Hours before the shooting, a separate incident in Washington Square Park saw a shirtless man unleash bear spray, triggering mass panic as the crowd mistook the commotion for a shooting. Over 50 people were injured as barricades collapsed and attendees fled blindly through the park.
Officials later confirmed that the source of the chaos was not gunfire but the bear spray itself. The stampede overwhelmed first responders and sent dozens to local hospitals with eye injuries, abrasions, and stress-related trauma.
Investigation Underway
New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned the violence, calling it a “devastating reminder of the threats faced by the LGBTQ+ community.” In a statement posted to X, he vowed that the NYPD would act swiftly to apprehend those responsible.
With Pride events continuing across the city under heightened security, authorities urge vigilance and call on the public to assist investigators. The symbolic importance of Stonewall—once the site of resistance—has once again become a backdrop for tragedy and urgent questions about safety in the LGBTQ+ community.
