The suspect who allegedly shot a Times Square food vendor early on Wednesday morning claimed later that evening that he acted out of self-defense.
Reporters peppered Emanuel Charles, 21, with a barrage of questions and camera flashes Wednesday night as detectives escorted him out of the Midtown North Precinct, en route to central booking.
“Self-defense,” Charles responded to questions about the shooting before being placed in the rear of a police vehicle. “He pulled a knife on me.”
Police sources, however, dispute this account.
Cops say a food vendor setting up for the day at West 47th Street and 7th Avenue just before 5 a.m. on April 30 when he engaged in an argument with a group of people over a backpack before. The vendor then called for help from another peddler at the scene.
When the victim, a 29-year-old food vendor, entered the fray, the dispute escalated. That’s when, cops said, Charles allegedly pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, one of which struck the victim in the arm.
EMS rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated for his wound.
A video circulating online appears to show a group of teens and young adults brawling in the street, with one man fleeing while holding a knife and a backpack. Yet, it is unclear with whom he is associated and if he was wounded.
Police took Charles and two other individuals into custody following the incident. As of Wednesday night, police reported that other persons of interest were still being questioned.
Charles, meanwhile, is charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.
During an appearance on Fox 5 Wednesday, NYPD Chief of Department John Chell praised officers’ swift response to the shooting.
