Authorities are looking for the man suspected of shooting two homeless people while they were probably sleeping in Manhattan on the same day, New York City Police said.
According to authorities, the first incident was reported on Saturday around 5:00 am when police officers found a 38-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the right forearm in KIng Street Come in Varick Street and Avenue of the Americas. A preliminary investigation determined that the victim was sleeping there when the suspect approached and shot him before fleeing.
Paramedics took the victim to a hospital in stable condition.
Nearly 12 hours later, at 4:56 p.m. the same day, police responded to a 9-1-1 call about an unanswered man in front of 148 Lafayette Street. Upon arrival, they found the victim dead in a sleeping bag with gunshot wounds to the head and neck. A preliminary investigation also concluded that the suspect approached the homeless man around 6:00 am and shot him.
If so, both incidents would have occurred within an hour of each other.
The mayor of New York City called the act “unacceptable” and promised that they would take extra steps to protect the homeless and encourage them to go to a shelter.
“This morning one of our fellow New Yorkers was killed and another was admitted to the hospital. They were targeted for being homeless. This is unacceptable,” the mayor wrote on Twitter. “Tonight we are taking additional steps to protect homeless New Yorkers and encourage them to take shelter.”
