Gunfire was reported near a Manhattan high school in Chelsea yesterday afternoon, coinciding with student dismissal, leading to a rapid police response and the lockdown of a nearby school. According to PIX11, approximately a dozen shell casings were found outside the school, and no injuries were reported. The suspected shooter, wearing a blue hoodie, was last seen leaving the area.
The incident took place near Lab Middle and High School in Chelsea, which was promptly placed on lockdown, as reported by CBS News. Students reported hearing gunfire in their classrooms, triggering immediate safety procedures. Witnesses said a fight had occurred in a nearby park before shots were fired. During the event, residents and students sought cover, with some taking shelter behind school buses. Ever Ortiz, a nearby resident, described the scene: they heard the gunfire at home and, when picking up their daughter, saw shell casings scattered on the ground.
This recent gunfire incident contributes to a concerning week for school safety citywide, PIX11 reports. Local 237 Union President Greg Floyd noted that in addition to three loaded guns recently found in Harlem, the Bronx, and Astoria, numerous other small weapons, including scalpels, have been confiscated from students. So far this year, the NYPD has seized 205 scalpels from students in various school-related incidents.
In response to these incidents, NYPD spokespersons emphasized that their security procedures, which include magnetometers, X-ray baggage machines, and scanners, remain in place. Local 237 Union President Greg Floyd stated that the number of weapons is outpacing security coverage, expressing concern that serious injuries could occur. The union pointed out that no scanning devices were present at the schools where recent weapons were found. A spokesperson for NYC Public Schools said staff acted quickly to keep students safe and confirmed that additional security measures are planned for Harlem’s School of Earth Exploration and Discovery.
The police continue to investigate the Chelsea shooting and are searching for the suspect, while schools and the wider community remain on high alert due to ongoing concerns about student safety.
