Eight people required medical evaluation after a woman allegedly unleashed bear spray inside a Lower Manhattan hotel Monday morning during a dispute over luggage with another woman she had attended Pride Week events alongside the night before, according to the New York Police Department.
Background
The incident occurred just after 8 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown hotel on Stone Street near Whitehall Street, authorities said. The two women involved were both staying at the hotel and had traveled together to attend Pride celebrations in the city the previous evening before their argument erupted over travel belongings.
Police sources indicated the dispute between the pair escalated to the point where one of the women deployed the bear spray inside a room on the 20th floor, sending noxious fumes throughout the corridor. The FDNY responded to reports of hazardous fumes and proceeded with evacuating the entire building as a precaution, officials stated.
Footage captured by witnesses and posted to the Citizen app showed hotel guests standing outside with their belongings as emergency personnel descended on the scene. Multiple fire units and EMS crews were dispatched to address the chemical exposure.
The Investigation
The suspect fled the location before police arrived and had not been taken into custody hours after the incident, authorities confirmed. She remains at large as investigators work to identify her and determine whether criminal charges will be filed.
Those injured in the incident include a 28-year-old woman who was reportedly the target of the sprayer's attack, along with other guests—a 53-year-old woman, a 41-year-old woman, a 78-year-old man, a 62-year-old man, and a 35-year-old man. Two members of the FDNY were also among those requiring medical evaluation for exposure to the spray. All injuries were classified as minor.
The NYPD's investigation is ongoing, with detectives reviewing available surveillance footage from the hotel to identify the suspect and reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the mass chemical exposure.
Key Takeaways
- Bear spray was discharged inside a room on the 20th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown around 8 a.m. Monday
- Eight people total sought medical treatment, including two FDNY members; all injuries were minor
- The suspect and her alleged target had attended Pride Week events together the previous night before their dispute over luggage erupted
- Police have yet to arrest a suspect as of late Monday afternoon
- The hotel was fully evacuated by fire officials due to the hazardous fumes
What's Next
Police are actively working to identify and locate the suspect for questioning. No charges had been filed at the time of this report, but authorities indicated the investigation remains open and ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact the NYPD's relevant precinct.