Man critically wounded in Manhattan music studio shooting
NEW YORK - A man is in critical condition after being shot in the head overnight inside a music studio in Manhattan.
Police responded to a 911 call shortly before 1 a.m. Friday at Eighth Avenue near 39th Street in Midtown. Officers found the 26-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his head.
Police are now searching for at least four people seen running from the scene.
Surveillance video obtained by CBS New York shows a 26-year-old man on a stretcher being taken out of a music studio. Police said he was shot in the head inside of recording studio on the 11th floor.
Detectives went in and out of the building Friday morning, gathering evidence and talking with possible witnesses about what happened.
"If you've noticed over the last year, there's been a lot more crime over here, too as well. It's become a lot more persistent," said Rashwan Nicol, who works in the area.
The space where the shooting took place is called the Music Building. According to its website, it is open 24 hours a day for musicians to record and rehearse.
Celebrities like Madonna, Blondie, Billy Idol and Metallica recorded there in the early parts of their careers.
Musicians said the sound of gunshots would be hard to hear.
"You would think it's just an effect. Nobody would probably even raise an eyebrow if they heard a gunshot," musician John Durst said.
At this point, it's unclear if the suspects knew the victim, and there's no word on a possible motive.
Anyone with information about the shooting asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
