The NYPD made 63 arrests related to the celebrations surrounding the New York Knicks' championship victory on June 13 and June 14
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NEED TO KNOW
- Massive crowds celebrated the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years on June 13 and into June 14, causing chaos across New York City
- There were multiple violent incidents, including four stabbings, a teen who was shot and property destruction, with 63 arrests made by the NYPD
- Five school buses, which were being used for World Cup transportation, were set on fire, and multiple police vehicles were damaged
Massive crowds brought chaos to the streets of New York City after the New York Knicks clinched the team's first NBA championship in 53 years.
After the final buzzer confirmed the Knicks' 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Texas' Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June 13, throngs of people sporting blue and orange flocked to the streets of all five boroughs. Amid the raucous celebration — which also followed the first World Cup game in the N.Y.C. area — a teenager was shot, four people were stabbed and five buses were set on fire, among other altercations, a New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.
During and after the championship game, crowds numbering tens of thousands gathered around the Knicks' home turf of Madison Square Garden and “became increasingly destructive, and there were many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior,” according to the NYPD spokesperson.
One incident resulted in a 17-year-old being shot at Broadway and 43rd Street, the latter of which was so packed with people that an ambulance could not transport the victim, police said.
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Police transported the teen to a hospital, and there are three people of interest in custody in connection with the shooting, the NYPD spokesperson said. A firearm was also recovered from the scene.
Also among the violent incidents were four stabbings and “slashings,” and multiple “large physical fights” that broke out, according to police. Ten members of the NYPD were also injured amid the celebrations, police said. One was struck with a glass bottle. Another was punched in the face.
Property — including school buses being used to transport people from N.Y.C. to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the World Cup games — was also destroyed amid the chaos that came during and after the Knicks' big win.
Five of the buses were “lit on fire/destroyed with bats and people jumping on them,” the NYPD spokesperson said.
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One of the passengers who exited one of the World Cup transport buses before it was surrounded, Youssef Sabbr, told Reuters, "They are expressing their happiness, a little bit violently, but it is what it is.”
"That's what happens everywhere around the world when a team wins," Sabbr, 49, told the outlet.
Five NYPD cars were also “badly damaged,” as people were using bats to hit the vehicles, as well as jumping on top of them, police said. Other non-NYPD or World Cup vehicles were also destroyed, with damage including shattered windows.
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The post-championship chaos also saw people climbing traffic lights and other structures, and lighting fireworks in crowds, the NYPD spokesperson said. Video on social media also shows Knicks fans blasting music, dancing, hugging and chanting, “Knicks in five!”
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"Oh, my God. It's like New Year's Eve times 20," New Yorker Carol Marino told Reuters of the chaotic crowds.
In total, the NYPD made 63 arrests on the evening of June 13 and into the early hours of Sunday, June 14, “related to the Knicks game” as crowds refused to disperse, police said. Charges included assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (gun), disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and more.
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