A teenager has been shot and buses torched during disorderly scenes in the City of New York. The unfortunate incident disrupted the celebrations of the Knicks’ significant NBA Championship 2026 victory.
In game 5 on Saturday 13 June, 2026, New York Knicks discomfited San Antonio Spurs 94–90 to win the title for the first time in more than five (5) decades
As crowds converged in the morning, gunfire was heard near Times Square; a 17-year old suffered wounds and school buses that conveyed World Cup 2026 fans were set ablaze.
It remains unknown if anyone was hurt in the fire.
James Dolan, Owner of Knicks, has called for calm following his side’s win over the Spurs on Saturday night in San Antonio.
Dolan said: “We need to tell everybody in New York that we know that they’re celebrating, we want them to have a great time. Please be safe. Don’t get hurt, don’t hurt anybody.”
Celebrations in the City metamorphosed into violence as fans clashed with officers in Midtown Manhattan.
Five (5) yellow school buses were set on fire or damaged with bats, and people jumping on them, the Force revealed.
Crowds became “increasingly destructive” with “many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behaviour”, the New York Police Department (NYPD) told the BBC via a statement.
The school buses had been used to convey football fans back to Times Square after the World Cup 2026 match between Brazil and Morocco.
Onlookers converged around one of the buses, with some taking photos and making videos as it was swallowed in the flames.
Cars of the Police were also damaged, the NYPD said. It further said, some people used bats to destroy the cars, and jumped on them, damaging windshields.
According to officials, a boy, seventeen (17) years old, was shot in the foot. Early reports indicated no deaths. The boy was rushed to hospital in an NYPD vehicle as an ambulance could not gain access through the road due to huge crowds, Police say.
Three (3) people of interest have been taken into custody, and a firearm recovered from the scene of incident.
Photo: Schools buses set ablaze in New York City after Knicks NBA Championship 2026 win over Spurs | REUTERS
