Video Shows Moment Gunfight Breaks Out in Front of New York City Deli

Police are investigating after a shootout outside a Manhattan deli left multiple bystanders injured.

Surveillance video of the July 31 incident released Monday by the New York Police Department (NYPD) shows four armed men walking into a grocery store at 362 Audubon Avenue in Washington Heights.

One of the men can be seen going behind the counter, while the other three men enter the store.

Later, video footage from outside the store captured the moment all of the men began to fire their weapons. Several bystanders sitting nearby can be seen getting up and running in the opposite direction as the gunfire broke out.

Three bystanders were injured in the incident, which police said occurred shortly after 11 p.m. A 42-year-old woman was hit by gunfire in her left arm, a 58-year-old woman was struck in her buttocks and a 78-year-old man was struck in his left arm and abdomen.

Authorities are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the four suspects, who are wanted for assault. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 800-577-TIPS or direct message the Twitter page NYPDTips. A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for anyone who comes forward.

New York has issued a first-in-the-nation disaster emergency on gun violence. Governor Andrew Cuomo said last month that the state will treat gun violence as a "public health emergency."

"If you look at the recent numbers, more people are now dying from gun violence and crime than COVID - this is a national problem but someone has to step up and address this problem because our future depends on it," Cuomo said in a statement.

Law enforcement officials reported 165 shooting incidents in June, a decrease of roughly 19 percent from June 2020, when New York experienced 205 shooting incidents. The number of shooting victims was down 26 percent from the year prior.

Murder was also down 23 percent compared to the same month a year ago, according to data released by the NYPD. Thirty-three homicides were reported last month, compared to the 43 murders reported in June 2020.

Police are also investigating another shooting that took place on July 31. The incident, which authorities believe to be gang-related, occurred outside a barbershop in Queens.

Ten people were injured in the shooting, including seven bystanders. The victims, who range in age from 19 to 72, were transported to local hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

"There's just one common theme, I want to get out there, that's a recurring theme that keeps happening and it has to stop throughout the city. That's gang members. That's guns, multiple guns on the scene, scooters being used, masks. And lastly, unintended targets getting hit. This is unacceptable on our streets in New York City, and it has to stop," James Essig, the NYPD's chief of detectives, said at a news conference.

Updated 08/02/2021, 4:31 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information provided by the NYPD.