New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd was clinging to life Sunday after an early-morning shooting in Midtown Manhattan left the 29-year-old hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Bellevue, according to police and team officials.
The gunfire erupted just after 2 a.m. on West 38th Street near Seventh Avenue, outside Sei Less, an Asian-fusion restaurant long frequented by figures in the hip-hop and entertainment world. Detectives said the violence grew out of a dispute that escalated with startling speed, reported The New York Post.
Boyd was struck twice in the abdomen during the altercation. He had been out with friends, though investigators have not said whether he was the intended target. Witnesses reported that the 5-foot-11 defensive back drifted in and out of consciousness before paramedics rushed him to the hospital.
Law enforcement sources said the shooter fled in a BMW X6, and a silver Mercedes-Benz Maybach was also seen speeding away from the block moments after the shots were fired. When officers arrived, they found a Rhino GX — a heavily armored luxury SUV worth as much as $300,000 — parked outside the restaurant. No arrests have been made, and detectives say cooperation from witnesses has been limited.
The Jets, in a brief public comment, said only: “We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time.”
Boyd joined the Jets at the start of the season but has not played after suffering a shoulder injury during preseason practice; he remains on injured reserve. Before arriving in New York, he spent time with the Minnesota Vikings — who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2019 — as well as the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans. His career earnings exceed $8 million.
The team is idle this weekend after a Thursday night loss to the New England Patriots. Sei Less, the site of Sunday’s shooting, has been a magnet for high-profile visitors; its founder, Dara Mirjahangiry, once recounted on national television how Sean “Diddy” Combs bought drinks for the entire restaurant.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to reconstruct what led to the shooting.
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