More than 50 individuals were injured during a Pride Celebration at Washington Square Park on Sunday evening, according to police and sources. Reports of a shooting and the use of bear spray triggered a panic among the crowd, leading to multiple injuries.
A shirtless man released bear spray in the park, causing several bystanders to experience burning sensations in their eyes, as rumors of a shooting spread among the thousands gathered in Greenwich Village, heightening their fears for safety.
The NYPD confirmed that the man was apprehended at the scene.
The extent of injuries from the stampede and the bear spray remained unclear initially, but officials did not expect any to be life-threatening.
Police estimated that around 10,000 people were present at the time of the incident. Many panicked and fled the area, breaking through police barriers in their haste.
According to a source, the suspect seemed to have felt threatened and reacted by spraying bear mace in what he believed was self-defense.
Attendees reported being largely unaware of the situation. Chaos ensued, yet the celebration continued nearby.
Some spectators thought that gunfire was aimed at the crowd, which spurred them to run instinctively for safety.
“Everyone believed that there were shooters, so naturally, we all tried to exit the park as quickly as possible. But with so many people, it was difficult to get past the barriers,” Loftin recounted, mentioning he observed several individuals with various injuries.
Others expressed concern that the police barriers, intended to provide safety, instead worsened the situation and added to the confusion.
“It was a lively atmosphere, everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves. My friend and I were a bit out of the loop until we heard someone mention gunfire. We didn’t hear any shots ourselves, but once the word got out, it felt like we had to get out fast,” another attendee shared.
“The chaos was overwhelming. People were screaming, and it was like a human wave, all pushing toward the exits. The police were trying to control the situation, but the bottlenecks made things worse,” someone else added.
Investigation into the bear mace incident is currently underway.
The Pride Parade traditionally concludes in Washington Square Park, where many participants spend the day enjoying the atmosphere around the fountain.
In a separate and tragic event hours later, two individuals were shot outside The Stonewall Inn, an iconic bar in the LGBTQ community.
While the day is meant to be a celebration, incidents of violence among groups have become more common in recent years.
Last year, numerous fights broke out throughout the day, resulting in 22 arrests.
In 2022, fireworks lit the sky during a pro-choice rally, causing confusion as attendees mistook the sounds for gunshots, leading to a similar stampede like the one seen on Sunday.
