Greenwich Village, Manhattan, known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ history and culture, was rocked by gunfire late Sunday night, June 29, 2025, just as the city’s Pride celebrations were winding down. Two teenage girls were shot and a third was slashed in a violent incident that unfolded mere blocks from the iconic Stonewall Inn, the birthplace of the gay rights movement. The shooting has left a community still reeling from the trauma of the night while officials scramble to piece together the chaotic events.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. near 3 Sheridan Square, close to a Gristedes supermarket. Surveillance footage and witness accounts reveal a melee involving two rival groups of teenagers who apparently knew each other. The violence escalated quickly, culminating in gunfire that wounded three young people.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny provided a detailed account of the incident during a press briefing. He explained that a 16-year-old girl, armed with a 9-millimeter pistol, deliberately moved through the crowd targeting a specific male. "It is clear that she is targeting a specific male," Kenny said. From just inches away, she fired two shots at the man’s head. Miraculously, the intended target was not hit. Instead, one of the bullets struck a 17-year-old girl, an innocent bystander visiting from New Jersey to celebrate Pride, in her left thigh. The bullet traveled through her left thigh and lodged in her right thigh.
"This victim is a female 17-years-old visiting from New Jersey. She had no connection to the shooter, and she had no connection to the previous fight that was taking place. She was in New York City to celebrate the Pride parade and was a total innocent bystander," Chief Kenny emphasized. The teenager was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Following the shooting, the 16-year-old shooter fled with her group of friends. However, as they ran, a male member of the group fired four shots wildly into the crowd. Tragically, one of these shots hit the 16-year-old girl herself in the head, from about ten feet away. She collapsed and was left behind by her group. Police found a 9-millimeter firearm next to her. She was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition but has since stabilized.
Adding to the night’s violence, a 17-year-old girl later walked into Bellevue Hospital with a stab wound to the abdomen. Police say she was with the shooter’s group at the scene but is not cooperating with investigators. It remains unclear whether her injury is related to the shooting. Meanwhile, an accomplice described as wearing a black ski mask fled westbound toward Sheridan Square and has not yet been apprehended.
The 16-year-old shooter has a history of prior arrests, including two for robbery, but no arrests have been made in connection with this shooting as of early July 2025. A gun recovered at the scene is believed to belong to her.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the community, especially as it occurred in the heart of the city’s Pride celebrations. Mayor Eric Adams expressed his sorrow and concern on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "During a time when our city should be rejoicing and celebrating members of our diverse LGBTQ+ community, incidents like this are devastating. We're praying for the speedy recovery of the victims in tonight's shooting. The NYPD will work quickly and tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice." The mayor’s statement underscored the tragic timing of the violence, which marred what should have been a joyful and unifying occasion.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as the shots rang out. Douglas Breland, a 47-year-old bouncer working nearby, recounted hearing at least four loud cracks around 10:15 p.m. Initially mistaking the sounds for fireworks, he soon realized it was gunfire. "This area has been packed with people all day, and we were getting ready to party through the night, and then, all of a sudden, ‘Boom boom boom!’ — everyone’s ducking and running for cover and screaming. It was complete pandemonium," said a witness who wished to remain anonymous.
Videos shared on social media captured the frantic aftermath, showing a heavy police presence and crowds scattering in fear. Some posts on X detailed the search for suspects, including descriptions of a male wearing a hoodie, white sunglasses, white shorts, and sneakers. The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
The incident also sparked fears of a hate crime given the location’s significance. The Stonewall Inn, designated a national monument in 2016 by former President Barack Obama, is a landmark of LGBTQ+ history and the site of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising—a pivotal moment in the fight for gay rights. However, police quickly clarified that the shooting was a "targeted act of violence" stemming from a feud between teenagers rather than a hate crime related to Pride.
The night’s violence followed an already tense day in the city. Earlier, a false report of gunfire during Pride celebrations at Washington Square Park triggered a stampede, injuring more than 50 people either from the rush or exposure to bear spray deployed by a shirtless man who was later taken into custody. These back-to-back incidents cast a shadow over what is usually a festive and peaceful occasion.
Advocacy groups also responded to the shooting. The Christopher Street Project, an organization advocating for trans rights, posted on X: "Tonight, we are holding the victims of the shooting outside the Stonewall Inn and their families in our hearts. As we await more information, we emphasize what we know to be true: those spewing violent rhetoric against queer and trans people must be held accountable for the climate of hate they help create. We demand justice, safety and dignity for all LGBTQ+ people, everywhere."
As the city mourns the violence that erupted in the heart of its Pride celebrations, the investigation continues. Police are following leads and reviewing video footage to identify and apprehend all those responsible. Meanwhile, the community grapples with the stark reminder of how quickly joy can be shattered by violence, even in places symbolizing hope and progress.
The shooting in Greenwich Village was a brutal interruption to a day meant to celebrate diversity, resilience, and love. Yet, amid the sorrow and shock, the resolve to seek justice and uphold the spirit of Pride remains strong.
