NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 Ten people were wounded in a shooting Wednesday night outside a nightclub in New York City that was holding a memorial for a teenager who had been previously been killed in the city.
Police said three or four men fired about 30 shots at a crowd of people who were standing outside Amazura Concert Hall in Jamaica, Queens, for the private event before running to a car and driving off.
Six females and four males between the ages of 16 and 20 were taken to hospitals but are expected to recover, police said.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said the club was holding a small private event to celebrate the life of a teen who had been killed in Brooklyn late last year.
鈥淭hey just wanted to cause destruction,鈥 he said of the shooters.
In a statement on social media, Gov. Kathy Hochul said 鈥渁 memorial for a teen lost to gun violence turned to horror when gunmen opened fire on the crowd.鈥
鈥淭his cannot be our normal,鈥 Hochul wrote.
Police have not yet announced any arrests.
Images from outside the club after the shooting show debris strewn across the sidewalk and police gathering evidence and taking photographs. Nearby residents described quick bursts of gunfire along with screaming.
鈥淚t was bam, bam, bam, bam,鈥 Maria Lopez . 鈥淚 thought it was fireworks. I was saying to myself, it鈥檚 too late in the evening for this, too late for it to be New Year鈥檚 celebrations.鈥
About 90 people were inside the club while a smaller group of about 15 were standing outside, police said.
鈥淚t lasted about 10 seconds and then there was silence,鈥 neighborhood resident Juan Alulema . 鈥淚 saw people screaming.鈥
Amazura Concert Hall urged the public to contact police with any information about the shooting.
鈥淲e are deeply saddened by the recent and unfortunate isolated incident that occurred," the venue said in an post. 鈥淥ur hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless act.鈥
