Backfiring motorcycle causes scare in Times Square

Credit: Free-Photos/Pixabay

Credit: Free-Photos/Pixabay

A motorcycle that backfired in New York City Tuesday night caused a panic in Times Square, police said.

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Citizens on edge after a pair of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, ran for cover shortly before 10 p.m. after hearing loud noises that some interpreted as shots, WNBC reported.

Police said at least one motorcycle backfired near Seventh Avenue and 46th Street multiple times, WCBS reported.

Police confirmed no shots were fired, several media outlets reported. There were several minor injuries reported as people scrambled to safety, police said.

"All of a sudden I heard this kind of muffled pop and said what was that, and I looked over and there was just a sea of people running," Dylan Probert told WABC. "I had one or two seconds to think, is this really happening?"

Police, who received multiple 911 calls, urged people not to panic, noting the "Times Square area is very safe," WPIX reported.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio went on Twitter to confirm that Times Square was safe, but added that "What people felt was all too real."

"Nobody should have to live in constant fear of gun violence," de Blasio tweeted.

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