Leaders Call For More Police In Northern Manhattan After Shooting

INWOOD, NY —Elected officials and community leaders are calling on New York City Hall to increase police presence in northern Manhattan after a shooting early Monday morning.

New York City Police say five people were shot, including the suspected gunman, outside of an Inwood club around 4 a.m. Monday. Officers fired at the suspect after they heard gunshots.

According to a news release from council member Ydanis Rodriguez's office, leaders from the community gathered Monday to call for more officers in northern Manhattan.

“Our community is very concerned with the level of violence we are experiencing in our community. Working class and middle class New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in their community, said Rodriguez in the news release. “Federal law enforcement must work alongside our local police officers to stop the flow of firearms into our streets. As a Councilmember of this community and as a member of the public safety committee, I am calling on City Hall to increase the number of police officers in our neighborhood."

Rodriguez, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Manhattan Community Board 12, the Washington Heights BID, and others stood together to denounce the violence in their community, according to the news release.

“The safety and well-being of our residents and our communities remains one of our foremost priorities, and it will take each of us working together in collaboration with law enforcement to strengthen the security and safety in our neighborhoods," Espaillat said. "By working with my colleagues and other local elected officials, I vow to not stop fighting to ensure our residents and their families feel safe in the places they call home."