In a tragic incident on Friday morning, two men were shot, resulting in one fatality, inside Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan's East Village. The shooting occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. near the chess area on East 7th Street, close to Avenue A.

According to authorities, a 74-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his torso and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The second victim, a 44-year-old man, was also shot in the torso but managed to escape to a nearby deli for assistance. He is currently in stable condition.

Law enforcement officials are on the lookout for the suspect, who is described as a 5'6" tall man wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans, and a mask. The shooter managed to flee the scene, leaving the authorities searching for leads to apprehend him.

Both victims were found to have extensive criminal records, totaling over 30 arrests between them, mainly relating to drug dealing. The southeast corner of the park has long been plagued by drug activity and homelessness, with previous incidents in March leading to the arrest of a 38-year-old man. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the area.

Residents of the East Village and neighboring communities are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. Law enforcement is actively canvassing the surrounding neighborhood in an effort to locate the suspect responsible for the deadly shooting.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation, in the hopes of bringing the perpetrator to justice and ensuring the safety of the community.

As the search for the gunman continues, the tragic events at Tompkins Square Park serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for increased security measures and efforts to address the persistent issues of drug activity and homelessness in the area.