Washington Square Park, New York City: A Pride celebration at Washington Square Park on Sunday evening turned chaotic when false reports of gunfire, coupled with the deployment of bear spray, caused a stampede among the roughly 10,000 attendees.
Over 50 people were injured in the chaos, though none of the injuries are expected to be life-threatening, according to police and sources.
What Happened at Washington Square Park?
The situation unfolded when a shirtless man deployed bear spray in the crowd, burning the eyes of several bystanders. At the same time, rumors of gunfire spread through the crowd, triggering panic. Thousands of people rushed to escape, fearing for their lives.
The suspect, who reportedly believed he was about to be attacked, acted out of panic and used the bear spray in self-defense, sources stated.
The man was arrested at the scene by the NYPD. It was unclear how many of the injuries were caused by the stampede versus the bear spray, but authorities noted that none were life-threatening.
The Chaos and Stampede
As the rumors of gunfire spread, people fled through the park in a panic, with some breaking through police barriers.
Attendees who remained near the park later shared that they were unaware of what had actually happened, but they had instinctively run after hearing what they thought were gunshots.
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A History of Similar Incidents
This isn’t the first time Washington Square Park has seen chaos during Pride celebrations. Last year, multiple brawls led to 22 arrests, and in 2022, confusion over fireworks during a pro-choice rally led to another stampede, as revelers mistook the popping sounds for gunshots.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, and police have reassured the public that the injuries were not life-threatening.
What do you think about the recent events at Washington Square Park? Do you feel that similar incidents could be prevented in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more updates, visit ridgecrestpact.org
