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Law enforcement officials have obtained surveillance footage showing the suspect hours before the shooting on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The video captures the individual carrying what appears to be a battery for an electric bike. Investigators believe the suspect traveled by subway from the Upper West Side to Midtown, where he may have pre-positioned an electric bike to use as part of his getaway.
Clues Found Near the Crime Scene
Detectives recovered a phone and a water bottle in an alley near the scene of the shooting. The phone, believed to belong to the shooter, could provide critical evidence, including fingerprints, DNA, or communication records. If the phone is unlocked, it may yield further information about the suspect’s identity or movements. The water bottle, reportedly purchased just before the attack at a nearby Starbucks, might also provide DNA evidence.
Deliberate Actions Suggest Trained Marksman
Police describe the shooting as methodical and deliberate, indicating the suspect may have firearms training. Surveillance video shows the shooter firing at Thompson from a distance of 20 feet, striking him in the back and leg. Despite the gun jamming multiple times, the suspect efficiently cleared the malfunctions and continued firing as he moved closer. Experts believe the gun, equipped with a silencer, was prone to malfunctioning without specific modifications, further supporting the theory that the suspect had military or law enforcement training.
Details of the Escape
The suspect fled the scene on foot before transitioning to an electric bike. Contrary to earlier reports, police have confirmed the bike was not part of the Citi Bike system. The last confirmed sighting of the suspect was in Central Park.
Ongoing Investigation
The NYPD is actively tracking surveillance footage and working with forensic experts to analyze the recovered evidence. Detectives are still searching for the firearm and the e-bike used during the escape. The case remains a top priority as police work to identify and apprehend the suspect.
