Mass shooting in Harlem leaves 1 dead and 9 wounded

One person was killed and nine others were wounded during a shootout in Harlem overnight.

Officers responded to the incident at Fifth Avenue and East 139th Street after receiving a phone call reporting the shooting at around 12:35 a.m. on Monday.

The victims were at a gathering when gunfire broke out. Seven men and two women, from 21 to 42 years old, were wounded.

"I was sitting in my living room and all I heard was sporadic shots ringing," said a local resident. "It was like, 'Prong, prong, prong!'. And then it stopped and picked back up, 'Brum, brum!' You know, it was so many shots. First, I thought it was fireworks. and then I thought, 'Nah, it can't be.'"

Police initially believed that two groups were shooting at each other. However, "we just think it was a gathering, a barbecue, to that nature," NYPD Deputy Chief Brian McGee said.

Police did not release any more details about the gathering, possible suspects, or cause for the shooting.

Five victims were found wounded on a footpath over the Harlem River Drive. Four others went to the Harlem Hospital, where they were identified.

Most victims were shot in the torso. Some injuries were also found in the legs, back, and fingers.

The 21-year-old man died from his wounds at Lincoln Hospital. He was identified as Darius Lee from the Bronx. According to his coach at St. Raymond High School, he had one more semester before graduating.

The other victims have non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.

Police recovered one gun at the crime scene.

Below is a photo of the gun recovered at the scene of tonight’s shooting.

As @NYPDDetectives continue their investigation, we are asking anybody with information to contact @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/t1VtOKJJpz

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 20, 2022

The incident is still under investigation.