Officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) are still looking for the thieves who injured two men Thursday night at what appears to be an unlawful gambling location in a Queens, N.Y. area.
Gunfire broke out in a Haight Street structure in the Flushing area following what sources referred to as a failed robbery.
One of the wounded individuals was a 37-year-old male who suffered a gunshot to the head. He was taken to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital. He was reported to be in critical condition as of Friday, according to the New York Daily News.
The second victim, a 42-year-old male, was likewise injured by gunfire. He was also taken to that hospital for treatment. According to the Daily News, he was shot in the face. His status wasn’t disclosed.
The NYPD was notified of the shootings around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday.
Three Suspects Still Free
The Daily News reported that the individuals sought for questioning were identified as three men, likely of Hispanic descent. They left in a white SUV, possibly accompanied by a woman in the vehicle.
The police reported that the SUV might have sustained damage to the front end. As of Monday, the assailants remain at large, as reported by New York TV station WPIX.
The Daily News reported that NYPD officers were also looking for surveillance footage over the weekend that could reveal the suspects' identities. On Friday, officers were seen investigating the crime scene for clues. They had sealed off a section close to the shootings.
Underground Gambling Rooms
"There are a few underground gambling … rooms around this block,” a local business owner revealed to the Daily News after the shootings.
“I think this happens a lot. It’s just only this time people were shot,” the cabinet maker said. “This place is crazy right now.”
“When I saw [the cops] locking down the street, I just told my co-worker this morning, ‘I’m planning to move out,’” the cabinet maker added. “I even texted my landlords, ‘I probably will move out in two months,’ because this street right here is dangerous.”
Violence seldom occurs in the gambling establishments. However, when it occurs, locals feel scared, nearby residents reported to the Daily News.
“It really makes people terrified,” one worker told the newspaper.
