NEW YORK, June 14 (STL.News) – A World Cup bus was set alight and a teenager suffered a gunshot wound during chaotic scenes in Midtown Manhattan as thousands of basketball fans poured into the streets late on Saturday to celebrate the New York Knicks’ historic win in the NBA Finals.
The incident occurred as fans celebrated the team’s victory in the fifth game of the series. The Knicks have not won a title since 1973, marking a significant moment for the city’s sports supporters.
World Cup Shuttles Swarmed by Crowds
As the festivities continued into the early morning hours, hundreds of mostly young people swarmed a convoy of about 15 shuttle buses in Times Square. These vehicles had been utilized to transport soccer fans from the first World Cup match in the New York City area between Brazil and Morocco.
Witnesses observed crowds climbing onto the roofs of the buses and occupying the driver seats. One of the yellow school buses, which the city government had hired to assist with soccer fan logistics, was set on fire. It was not immediately clear if anyone sustained injuries during the blaze. At least three additional shuttle buses suffered significant damage during the unrest.
Supporters of the Brazilian soccer team joined Knicks fans atop the buses, waving flags and adding to the congestion. A bicycle was also observed being hauled onto the roof of one of the vehicles as the situation escalated.
Shooting Reported Amid Celebration
At approximately 2 a.m., a 17-year-old was shot in the foot during the ongoing celebrations in Times Square. A New York police officer confirmed to Reuters that three persons of interest are currently in custody in connection with the shooting.
The atmosphere in the city was described by some as overwhelmingly intense. Carol Marino, a local real estate agent, compared the scale of the crowds to an extreme version of holiday festivities. “Oh my God. It’s like New Year’s Eve times twenty,” Marino said while watching the scene from a sidewalk.
Police Response in Midtown
Law enforcement officials eventually moved to disperse the massive crowds as the violence and property damage intensified. After holding back for approximately two hours, officers in riot gear entered the area, chasing fans down the streets to regain control.
Officers on horseback were deployed to push crowds back and clear the thoroughfares surrounding Madison Square Garden, the home court of the Knicks. The celebrations had seen fans firing smoke grenades and setting off fireworks shortly after leaving bars and outdoor viewing venues.
Some spectators viewed the destruction as an unfortunate byproduct of the massive turnout. Youssef Sabbr, a 49-year-old Canadian of Moroccan descent who had just exited one of the buses before it was surrounded, offered a perspective on the crowd’s behavior.
“They are expressing their happiness, a little bit violently, but it is what it is,” Sabbr said.
Despite the chaos, many lifelong fans expressed relief and joy regarding the team’s performance. For many, this victory represented a historic milestone that had not occurred within their lifetimes. Local fans Dean and Christina Smiros noted that the team had not secured a championship title since before they were born, underscoring the magnitude of the celebrations that gripped Manhattan throughout the night.
