A 55-year-old woman was accidentally grazed by a bullet on Central Park West Thursday evening, just before 9 p.m., after a gunman got off an M10 bus and began shooting following an argument.
The victim, who chose to stay anonymous, told abc7 New York she was shocked by the sudden violence, saying the bullet felt like a bee sting. She was hit in the hip and received a minor wound. Local residents expressed concern over the rising violence, with one saying, "It's becoming frightening. I'm a native New Yorker, so I've seen a lot, you know, things come and go, especially in this area. But it's very concerning." The suspect ran from the scene and is still being sought by police, who are continuing their investigation.
In an interview with the New York Post, the victim said she realized she had been shot as she turned around, describing the experience as terrifying. She spoke about the emotional impact, saying the panic and how close it was left her shaken. Though she was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside and is in stable condition, the incident has affected her confidence in moving around the city.
The incident has raised wider concerns about public safety in New York City. A resident since 1993, she now questions whether she feels safe walking the streets and is reflecting on the broader issues that allow gun violence to occur in public spaces. According to the NYPD’s 24th Precinct, two people were shot in the area earlier this year—compared to none during the same period last year. This latest shooting adds to a growing pattern, with two bystanders recently killed in separate incidents, increasing public concern over citywide security.
