The West Indian American Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Caribbean culture globally, continued despite a tragic shooting that occurred during the event.

Five individuals were shot, including a 25-year-old man who died, while two victims remain in critical condition and three others are expected to survive.

The shooting took place around 2:35 p.m. when a gunman targeted a specific group along the parade route, which was described as a deliberate act rather than random violence.

The suspect, a slim male in his 20s wearing a brown shirt and a black bandana, fled the scene on foot, prompting a manhunt by local law enforcement.

Authorities are actively searching for the shooter and have encouraged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Despite enhanced security measures, including the use of drones and metal detectors, Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the challenges of preventing such incidents in large crowds.

The NYPD had assured the public of a heightened police presence, which included confiscating 25 guns prior to the event and an additional 10 along the parade route.

Attendees expressed shock and sadness over the violence, with many families present at the parade, highlighting the event's celebratory atmosphere.

Mayor Adams condemned the shooting, stating it transformed a joyous celebration into a tragedy, and called for increased efforts to combat gun violence.

During a press conference, Adams described the shooter as 'one nut' and emphasized that the majority of the event was peaceful, with hundreds of thousands in attendance.

Local residents voiced concerns that fear of gun violence could deter future attendance at the parade, which has a history of violence.

This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the investigation continues.