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3 Shot, Wounded Near Herald Square

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Three men were hospitalized late Sunday afternoon after being shot a short distance from Herald Square and the Empire State Building.

The FDNY was called to the scene at 4:44 p.m. for the shooting at 31st Street and Broadway. As CBS2's Erin Logan reported, police were trying to track down at least two suspects late Tuesday afternoon.

Police said two men were walking together in the area, and got into a quarrel with a third man. One of the first two men pulled out a gun and started shooting, police said.

NYPD Deputy Inspector Robert Hanson of Manhattan South Detectives said it was not known what the quarrel was over, but police do have leads.

A 43-year-old man ended up with a gunshot wound to the shoulder, a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the left arm, and a 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the back, police said.

The wounded men were all taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, officials said. Their conditions were all reported to be stable, and the youngest man had been released by 11 p.m.

Police said one of the men who was shot was a tourist from Romania who just happened to be walking out of a liquor store.

"He was an in innocent bystander," Hanson said.

Police sources said a second victim was also an innocent bystander, while the third was part of the original quarrel.

A photo from the scene showed an overturned bicycle lying in the street as paramedics set up stretchers near the Hyatt Herald Square New York, 30 W. 31st St. A witness said at least one of the victims may have been on a bicycle.

Herald Square Shooting
Three people were shot near Herald Square on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. (Credit: David Markovich)

Video sent from a witness at the scene showed two people on the ground who were apparently injured. One witness said there was blood right next to one of the victim's bicycles and a helicopter at the scene.

Many were in shock wondering what provoked the shooting. CBS2 spoke with a man who was walking by moments after the incident, on his way to a shop that he often goes to.

"There was blood all over the sidewalk in front of the liquor store, and seconds before, I was like three seconds at least, there were was at least two ambulances and a police car -- and then it doubled and tripled," said witness David Markovich.

Romain Girod lives right across the street.

"We have kids living here and my daughter is working here at night -- she's 18 years old," Girod said, "so it's very concerning."

The perpetrator and the second man fled on foot, police said. Hanson said the suspects were wearing dark clothing, and one was the gunman while the other was a man who was with him.

Police cordoned off the entire block of 31st Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway and insisted on escorting residents and tourists in the many hotels on the block back in, WCBS 880's John Metaxas reported.

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