Three people were shot and killed execution-style and two others were wounded inside an apartment above the world-famous Carnegie Deli in one of New York's most-visited tourist districts, NY police said today.
A police spokesman said last night's shootings occurred in an apparent robbery attempt or possibly in a dispute over money and marijuana. The Carnegie Deli on 7th Avenue and West 55th Street is just two blocks from Carnegie Hall, where the world's most famous musicians have performed over the years.
The victims' hands were all bound with duct tape and they were shot, said New York Police Department spokesman Mr Chris Cottingham.
Witnesses saw two suspects fleeing down a side street after the shooting as tourists enjoyed dinner in the deli.
The area north of Times Square in midtown Manhattan has several hotels, theaters and many restaurants. Tourists and other pedestrians flock to the neighborhood in the early evening hours when the shooting took place.
The police spokesman said no arrests had been made and detectives were investigating.
No weapons were recovered at the scene. The identities of the victims were not released. The two wounded were in serious condition, police said.