The estimates vary, but up to two dozen people were hurt Tuesday night just before 10 pm when motorcycles backfired in central New York City – and the loud, sharp sound was mistaken for gunfire in nearby Times Square.
Video: Massive panic as people flee Times Square over fears of an active shooter. Total chaos over a backfire from a motorcycle. https://t.co/64CnB21eXZ
— NYC EMS Watch (@NYCEMSwatch)
Witnesses at the scene said the loud report sounded like shots being fired, and mistook it for an “active shooter” situation, which triggered mass hysteria, chaos and a stampede.
Thousands of people were sent running down streets and into the nearest doorways – many of them racing into the closest theaters – and they tried to flee what they thought was the latest mass murder attack, this time taking place near Seventh Avenue and 46th Street.
The NYPD swiftly announced on all public and social media outlets that there was nothing to fear.
“There is no #ActiveShooter in #TimesSquare,” wrote NYPD Midtown North in a post on Twitter. “Motorcycles backfiring while passing through sounded like gun shots.
“We are receiving multiple 911 calls. Please don’t panic. The Times Square area is very safe!”