Police Presence To Ramp Up In Times Square After 21-Year-Old Marine Shot

Charged with the murder of a 21-year-old Marine who became involved in a street vendor fight, the police presence in New York City’s Times Square will be enhanced.

A small group of sellers got into a dispute near Broadway on Sunday evening at the junction of 7th Avenue and 46th Street, according to ABC News affiliate WABC.

One of the vendors then pulled out a pistol and fired a single shot, shooting Samuel Poulin, 21, who was standing just a few steps away near a Starbucks, according to WABC.

At a news conference on Monday, NYPD Police Chief Rodney Harrison said that dozens of policemen will be assigned to guard Times Square.

“It’s critical that we increase our police presence there,” Harrison added.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that as more visitors flock to the city, it would be critical that they feel comfortable. He also stated that investigators will tighten down on illicit vending.

De Blasio stated, “We’re going to flood the zone.” “We’re going to make certain that Times Square is well-guarded.”

Poulin, who was shot but did not sustain life-threatening injuries, was grazed in the back by the bullet and was brought to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.

He graduated from The Citadel’s class of 2021, according to a statement from the military academy.

“The Citadel family – in Charleston, South Carolina, and around the world – is deeply saddened to learn about what happened to our Class of 2021 graduate, 2nd Lieutenant Samuel Poulin, in Times Square on Sunday when he was struck by a bullet from a shooting event unrelated to him,” said Gen. Glenn M. Walters, president of The Citadel.

“We are relieved to learn that he is in stable condition, and we extend our best wishes and prayers to his new wife and family. 2nd Lieutenant Poulin has a bachelor’s degree in physics, was on the President’s List as a cadet, and epitomizes the sort of ethical leader The Citadel aspires to develop.”

Poulin was the only person hurt in the incident, according to WABC, and he was not the intended target.

Tourists who were in the vicinity at the time were terrified by the gunshot.

“It was a big bang. We initially mistook it for a firework “Sydney Santana, an eyewitness, said WABC. “About ten individuals were racing towards the hotel when we arrived. [The victim] was on the go. He was standing up and chatting when he was placed on the stretcher.”

“There are so many people here, and of course, many people come from other areas,” she said, “so I wish it hadn’t occurred at all, but it’s too terrible it happened in Times Square.”

Poulin seemed to be with relatives or friends when he was shot, according to a witness who heard the shooting from across the street.

On June 5, two ladies and a 4-year-old kid were injured in another shooting in Times Square. Later, a suspect in the crime was apprehended in Florida.

There have been no arrests in connection with the incident, and the investigation is still underway. Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA in Spanish (74782).