A teenager was shot and buses were destroyed during chaotic scenes in New York City that marred jubilant celebrations for the Knicks' historic NBA championship win. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 in game five on Saturday to clinch the title for the first time in more than half a century. The game was in Texas, but New Yorkers took to their hometown streets in droves to toast the milestone.
As crowds swelled into the early hours, gunfire rang out near Times Square, a 17-year-old was wounded and school buses that had transported World Cup fans were torched. It is unclear if anyone was hurt in that incident.
Knicks owner James Dolan had called for restraint following his team's victory. "We need to tell everybody in New York that we know that they're celebrating, we want them to have a great time," said Dolan. "Please be safe. Don't get hurt, don't hurt anybody."
But celebrations turned violent as fans spilling out of bars and viewing parties clashed with officers in Midtown Manhattan. In a statement to the BBC, the NYPD said crowds became "increasingly destructive" with "many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behaviour".
Five yellow school buses were set alight or destroyed with bats and people jumping on them. They had been used to shuttle World Cup football fans back to Times Square following a match between Brazil and Morocco. Revellers were photographed swarming and climbing on to the roofs of the buses. Police cars were also targeted.
Gunshots were reported near 42nd Street and Broadway at around 02:00 EDT on Sunday, prompting people to run for cover. A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot. Preliminary reports indicated no fatalities. The victim was transported to hospital in an NYPD vehicle. Three people of interest were taken into custody and a firearm recovered.
Police said other disorder included four slashings/stabbings, destruction of private vehicles, people lighting fireworks in large crowds, brawls and crowds refusing to disperse. Sixty-three people were arrested. Charges included assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.
A large number of police officers were deployed in Manhattan, including some on horseback. Some of those out on the streets threw objects at police officers. Ten police officers were injured overnight, including one who was punched in the face and another struck with a glass bottle.
Earlier a party atmosphere had taken hold across the city. Emergency service workers shouted "Let's go Knicks" through loudspeakers, while strangers hugged and shook hands, and drivers honked their horns. "Oh my God. It's like New Year's Eve times 20," Carol Marino told Reuters. "I'm so overwhelmed. I'm so happy," added Mathieu Ogno.
Official celebrations will take place in the city on Thursday with a parade and a city hall ceremony, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office announced.