At least 10 people were injured in a shooting outside the Amazura nightclub in Queens, New York City, late Wednesday night (January 1). The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. as a group of about 15 young people, aged 16 to 20, were waiting to enter a private event at the club. According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), three or four gunmen approached the group and opened fire, discharging approximately 30 shots. The suspects then fled the scene on foot and were later seen entering a sedan with out-of-state plates.
Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera stated during a news conference early Thursday morning (January 2) that six females and four males were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. "There is zero tolerance for these senseless shootings," Rivera emphasized, adding that the motive for the attack is still under investigation, though it is not considered an act of terrorism. The NYPD is currently searching for the suspects and investigating whether the shooting may have been gang-related.
A large police presence and several ambulances were observed outside the nightclub following the shooting, as captured in footage shared on social media. The Amazura nightclub, located in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, was hosting a private event with around 90 people inside at the time of the shooting. The venue was at capacity, leading to a line forming outside, where the attack took place.