Police search for shooter after bystander shot inside Times Square store

New York City police are searching for an armed shoplifter who allegedly opened fire inside a Times Square store, shot a customer and later fired at officers during a police chase along busy Manhattan streets.

The first shooting took place just after 7 p.m. Thursday at JD Sports at 42nd Street and Broadway after three people allegedly shoplifted from the business, the New York Police Department told USA TODAY Friday morning.

During a press conference Thursday night, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell told reporters the melee began when a security guard stopped the suspected shoplifters at the store's front door, asked them for their receipt, took a shopping bag from them and began questioning them.

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Innocent bystander struck by gunfire

Inside the store, one of the reported shoplifters allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the security guard, but missed.

The gunfire struck a 38-year-old female customer in the leg, police said, and the three suspects allegedly took off running.

Arriving officers located the wounded customer and transported her in stable condition to a hospital, police told USA TODAY.

The woman, a tourist, was expected to recover, the Associated Press reported.

Multiple shots fired along busy Midtown streets

Officers on routine patrol quickly apprehended one of the suspects, Chell said, but another suspect − the gunman − ran and fired two shots at a pursing officer. Chell said the gunfire missed the officer.

Although the officer drew his weapon, Chell said, he did not fire at the suspect because too many people were in the area.

The suspect then continued to run, and again fired a shot at the same officer, who did not return fire due to multiple people in the area.

No civilians were struck by the suspect's gunfire.

The suspect then ran down into the subway, jumped onto the tracks, and ran back out of the subway before disappearing, Chell said.

Police search for gunman; one suspect in custody for questioning

Police described the gunman who fired at the officer as a Hispanic male between the ages of 15 and 20, wearing white pants, a white T-shirt, a white jacket and white shoes.

The gunman, Chell said, shed his jacket, a hat and his shoes as he fled.

The suspect apprehended by officers was taken to a police station for questioning, Chell said.

Meanwhile, police said, the third shoplifting suspect remained at large Friday.

As of Friday morning, police told USA TODAY no arrest had been made in the case and it remained under investigation.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.