The New York Knicks have won the NBA championship, ending a 53-year drought. Soon after that historic achievement, thousands of fans erupted in jubilation across New York City. But on Saturday (June 13) night, the joyous celebration turned in moments into severe violence. In particular, sudden gunfire and stabbings in Times Square, the heart of New York, spread intense panic, sending revelers running in all directions.
A viral video circulating on social media showed at least seven gunshots being heard suddenly near the junction of 42nd Street and Broadway in Times Square. Hundreds of basketball fans present there began running for safety in fear for their lives. A 17-year-old was shot in the incident. But because of the overflowing crowd on the street, no ambulance could reach the scene. Police later rushed the seriously wounded teenager to hospital in one of their own vehicles. Alongside the gunfire, stabbings also took place, injuring four other people.
New York police launched an immediate operation to bring the situation under control. Another video shared by police on social media showed officers grabbing a man from the huge Times Square crowd and recovering a loaded pistol from his waistband. But as the intensity of the celebration grew, disorder and vandalism reached an extreme across parts of the city. A section of the agitated crowd struck a police car with a bat, smashing its windshield, and climbed onto streetlight and traffic-signal poles. Fireworks were even set off dangerously in the middle of the crowd.
The special transport arranged to ferry spectators of the 2026 FIFA World Cup also fell victim to the mayhem. Many basketball supporters climbed aboard several school buses the city government had hired to transport football fans.
At one point they entered the buses and sat in the drivers’ seats, and a total of five school buses were set on fire. Five police vehicles were also set ablaze. At least 10 police officers were injured trying to contain the widespread clashes and disorder, including one who was punched in the face and another who was struck with a glass bottle.
New York police said 63 people had been arrested so far on charges of causing violence and disorder. They face serious charges including assaulting officers on duty, illegal possession of weapons and disrupting public safety. Despite the unwanted events, the victory is a memorable milestone for the New York Knicks franchise.
The Knicks had not lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy since 1973, and had failed even to reach the finals since 1999. Having beaten the San Antonio Spurs to become champions, the Knicks will hold a victory parade on Thursday (June 18) to celebrate, for which security has already been tightened across the city.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report