15-year-old boy shot inside Upper East Side smoke shop, police sources say
NEW YORK -- Police are investigating a shooting inside a smoke shop on the Upper East Side that left a teenager injured.
Neighbors who spoke to CBS New York's Alecia Reid say the smoke shop opened a few months ago. They know the employees and say they are shocked this level of violence happened here.
Police combed the scene inside Smile Smoke on East 61st Street and Third Avenue after a 15-year-old boy was shot Wednesday.
"It's very devastating that this is something that can happen in the city," Upper East Side resident Nate Saed said.
Surveillance video shows a group of people inside the store with their faces covered. At one point, at least two of them try jumping over when a person behind the counter pulls out a gun and opens fire.
"These smoke shops are opening up all over the place. It's something you're gonna see on a regular basis," Upper East Side resident Edwin Irizary said.
Witnesses say the teen who got shot in the foot ran for a block and ended up inside the theater at 60th and Third.
"Why would you go and rob a store during the holidays?" Coney Island resident James Harris said.
"It's not safe and there's mad kids coming outside," Rosay Yearwood said.
Neighbors in this normally safe neighborhood were not thrilled about the crime scene on their block.
"We're coming back home, this is where my wife is, and basically we're facing a crime scene. Seriously? I don't want to see that," Upper East Side resident Antonio Gabriel said.
The teen who was shot was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. He is expected to survive. We're told he is not cooperating with police.
