Gunfire erupts in Times Square hours after New York Knicks parade as parents rush children to safety

Gunfire erupts in Times Square hours after New York Knicks parade as parents rush children to safety Tourists were caught up in panic in Times Square, New York City, after gunfire erupted in the busy hotspot just hours after the New York Knicks' championship parade Shocking footage captures the terrifying moment shots rang out in New York City's iconic Times Square, just hours after the New York Knicks' championship parade. The clip, apparently recorded by a surveillance camera positioned above the square, shows tourists going about their day before five loud bangs pierce the air. The crowd instantly scatters, with visitors seen sprinting towards buildings and around corners to flee the bustling open-air venue. Screams and cries can be heard amidst the chaos. Some pedestrians, gripped by fear, dash into the road, where traffic continues to inch along Seventh Avenue, with drivers carefully navigating through the fleeing crowds. Others appear dazed and confused, standing rooted to the spot in the middle of the road or the square, unsure which direction to turn or what to do next. Within moments, the packed tourist hotspot empties, leaving just a small number of people hovering at the edges of the central plaza, reports the Express. The incident took place at 3:37pm on Thursday, according to a New York Police Department spokesperson who spoke to Daily Express US. "At approximately 15:37 hours, police responded to shots fired in the vicinity of 43rd St. and Seventh Avenue," the spokesperson confirmed. "Officers observed an individual discharging a firearm into the crowd," the spokesperson added. A man was subsequently arrested, and a firearm was recovered at the scene, although it remained unclear whether the weapon was connected to the suspect. No injuries were reported, and the NYPD has since launched an investigation into the episode. Additional footage filmed at ground level shows a man describing the frantic scenes in the popular tourist area. He recounts people brawling in the crowd just moments before gunshots are fired directly in front of him. Bystanders are seen immediately running from the scene, nearly colliding with him as he films the unfolding chaos. He informs viewers that he has just watched a shooting take place.