Police Hunt For Gunman Behind Shooting At Main Street Barbershop

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Police are investigating a shooting at a barbershop that left a teen seriously injured.

SEE UPDATE: Arrest Of Teen In New York City Is Connected To Barbershop Shooting Here: Police

On Wednesday, just after 5 p.m., City of Middletown police responded to a report of a shooting at the 6 West Barbershop, located on West Main Street. At the scene, officers found a 17-year-old who had been shot three times in the back. The victim was conscious and alert, and able to speak with officers and medical personnel. He was rushed to Garnet Health Medical Center by ambulance, and remains in stable condition, according to police.

The shooting is being investigated by the City of Middletown Detective Division.

The teen was a new employee of the barbershop, and was working inside when the shooting took place, investigators said. A male suspect, wearing all black and a camouflaged balaclava-style mask, entered the barbershop through the front door. That suspect then immediately fired several rounds from a black handgun in the direction of the victim.

The suspect then fled on foot, eastbound on West Main Street, eventually getting on a black electric scooter that had been parked on South Street. The shooter traveled south on South Street and onto Washington Street. The investigation led to the upper portion of Washington Street, near Prospect Avenue, but the suspect was not located, according to police.

"At this time, no arrests have been made. Officers and Detectives are continuing to canvass for surveillance footage and other evidence related to the shooting," the City of Middletown Police Department said in a statement. "It is believed that the victim was the only intended target of this incident, as several other subjects were inside of the barbershop when the shooting occurred, but were not shot at or injured."

Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the incident is urged to contact the City of Middletown Police Department Detective Division at 845-343-3152. Police say all calls will be kept confidential.