A top NYPD official revealed Thursday new details on the Midtown shooting of Jets cornerback Kris Boyd – as a tip identified a possible shooter and a $185,000 watch found at the scene may offer a clue.
Boyd, 29 – who was out on the town with Gang Green linebacker Jamien Sherwood, wide receiver Irvin Charles and a pal from Texas – was shot early Sunday during a brawl with a group of ruffians outside the Asian Fusion restaurant Sei Less, cops said.
About 24 hours later, the NYPD released footage of the suspected gunman that NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said helped a tipster come forward through CrimeStoppers.
Jets cornerback Kris Boyd was shot in midtown early Sunday morning. AP
“[We] looked at their social media, and we were able to get a law enforcement ID of that potential shooter from an officer that had a previous interaction with him,” Kenny said. “So we still don’t — we’re still not at [establishing] probable cause, so we’re not going to name him, but we’re very close.”
Meanwhile, Kenny said a pricey watch was recovered at the scene of the high-profile shooting.
“It’s a $185,000 watch that nobody has laid claim to, none of the Jet players, so we’re still looking into that aspect,” Kenny said. “But at no point did anybody announce a robbery or try to steal anything from the jet players.”
Kenny said the suspect was part of a group who began to “chirp” at Boyd’s crew about their fancy duds outside the hotspot.
Boyd shared a promising social media update on Wednesday, telling his followers he’s finally starting to breathe on his own. Instagram/Kris Boyd
“[They were] asking them, ‘Why do you think you’re better than us?’” Kenny said.
Boyd’s group went into the restaurant, but only stayed for five-to-10 minutes because the “vibe” was off, the chief said.
“They’re not feeling it,” Kenny said. “They decide to leave. As they’re walking back outside, once again, they were encountered by the same group of male blacks who begin to verbally insult them, once again, questioning their clothing and asking [if] they think that they’re better than us.”
That’s when a gunman shot Boyd leaving a bullet lodged in his lung, Kenny said.
In a promising social media update Wednesday, the cornerback told his followers he’s finally starting to breathe on his own. He remained in the hospital Thursday.