A 17-year-old boy was shot and multiple buses set ablaze in Manhattan late last night, prompting the British Foreign Office to issue an urgent travel advisory for the borough. Sources confirm the violence erupted around 10 p.m.
near Times Square, a tourist hotspot. The teen, whose name is being withheld, is in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital. Witnesses reported seeing two masked individuals open fire before torching three MTA buses.
The NYPD has not made any arrests. The British advisory warns UK nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Manhattan until further notice. Uncovered documents from the NYPD show the attack may be linked to a long-running dispute between two street gangs over drug territory.
This is the third shooting involving a minor in the area this month. The mayor’s office has declined to comment on the spike in violence. The UK Foreign Office urges all British citizens in New York to register their location with the embassy.
The advisory comes just days after the US State Department issued its own warning for American travellers to the UK. The contrast is stark: while London grapples with protests, New York burns. The teen’s family is calling for an end to the bloodshed.
But with the mayor focusing his attention on a re-election campaign, sources say the police are stretched thin. This story is developing. Check back for updates on the arrest of the perpetrators and the condition of the victim.
