1 Dead, 7 Injured Outside Queens Bar After Parking Dispute: NYPD

SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY — One person was killed and five others injured when a driver involved in what police described as a parking dispute mounted the sidewalk outside the XS Hookah Lounge, NYPD Assistant Chief David Barrere told reporters at the scene.

Police initially responded to the scene for an assault in progress, an NYPD spokeswoman said. The call for the assault was in a hookah lounge, the NYPD said. When authorities arrived on scene, at the intersection of 127th Street and Liberty Avenue, six people had been struck by a vehicle.

Barrere told reporters the driver of a white Hyundai Sedan stabbed two people in the torso, according to a recording of the press briefing. The driver then mounted the sidewalk at 128th Street, striking six people, Barrere said.

One of the people struck by the car has died and a second person is in critical condition, the NYPD said. Four others are in stable condition. All of this happened around 4:30 a.m.

Police said the driver fled the scene.

The two males involved in the initial assault call are both stable, the NYPD said.

The NYPD spokeswoman told Patch authorities were not looking into a connection with terrorism.

The NYPD has one person in custody though it is not clear whether that person is the driver of the car. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with tips can call 800577TIPS.

Patch will update this breaking news story as more details are learned. Refresh this page for updates.

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