Despite recent announcements from city officials touting a decline in violent crime, New York City residents were shaken by two fatal shootings that occurred within a two-hour span in Manhattan late Tuesday night. The back-to-back incidents — one in Chelsea and another in Midtown — left two men dead and a community grappling with grief and fear. As of now, no arrests have been made in either case.
The killings come on the heels of Mayor Eric Adams’ statement celebrating record declines in shootings and homicides, leaving many to question whether progress in public safety is reaching all neighborhoods equally.
The first fatal shooting occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. on West 17th Street in Chelsea. Responding to a 911 call, NYPD officers discovered 21-year-old Raqiese Cohen lying unconscious on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but later pronounced dead from his injuries.
Authorities confirmed that Cohen was shot outside his own residence, intensifying the tragedy for his family and neighbors. No suspects or persons of interest have been publicly named, and the motive remains unclear.
Less than two hours later, around 10:45 p.m., police responded to another 911 call — this time on West 42nd Street in Midtown, near an urgent care clinic. Officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.
The victim’s identity has not been released pending family notification. The area was quickly cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, with investigators seen examining evidence outside a nearby 7-Eleven and hibachi restaurant.
The twin homicides cast a shadow over recent remarks from Mayor Eric Adams, who earlier this week applauded the NYPD’s gun seizure efforts and a record-breaking drop in shootings and homicides. According to City Hall, shootings are down 54%, and homicides have decreased by 41% since Adams took office.
“Each illegal gun we take off our streets is saving lives,” said the mayor. “We’ve seen the lowest number of shootings and homicides year-to-date in recorded history.”
However, for residents of Chelsea and Midtown, the recent events tell a different story — one of unpredictability and fear. With both cases unresolved and no arrests made, anxiety lingers in neighborhoods that had started to feel safer.
When shootings occur in public places, especially within densely populated neighborhoods like those in Manhattan, the ripple effects are immediate. From street closures and emergency response stress to the emotional toll on family members and local businesses, these tragedies often upend lives far beyond the victim.
Loved ones of both victims now face the daunting journey of seeking justice and healing, often in the absence of clear answers or accountability. For families like that of Raqiese Cohen, who was killed steps from his own front door, the trauma is compounded by the lack of closure and public information.
When criminal investigations are ongoing or suspects remain unidentified, civil legal action becomes a critical avenue for victims’ families to seek justice and financial support. Families may be eligible to file wrongful death lawsuits or negligent security claims, depending on where and how the shooting occurred.
Compensation through a civil lawsuit may cover:
Funeral and burial expenses
Emotional pain and suffering
Medical expenses incurred prior to death
Loss of future earnings or household contributions
Punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or recklessness
Even in the absence of a conviction, civil suits can proceed and may hold additional parties — such as property owners, business operators, or security providers — liable if they failed to take adequate safety measures.
At Haggard Crime Victim Attorney, we represent victims of violent crime and their families across the country. We know that behind every headline is a grieving family, a lost future, and a community in pain. When law enforcement is still investigating or when criminal charges are slow to materialize, our firm steps in to help families seek the compensation and justice they deserve.
If your loved one was the victim of a shooting in New York — whether in a residential neighborhood, near a business, or in a public space — you may have legal options even if the case is unresolved.
Contact Haggard Crime Victim Attorney today for a free, confidential consultation. We are here to fight for you during the most difficult times.
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