New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd has been left fighting for his life after being shot in the abdomen in Midtown Manhattan early on Sunday morning, according to a report.
The NYPD confirmed to The Daily Mail that a 29-year-old man was shot in the abdomen at around 2am ET on West 38th Street near Seventh Avenue.
The police would not identify the victim at this time but The New York Post reported that sources confirmed it to be Boyd.
Boyd was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the United States, where he is said to be clinging to his life. Police said that he was in critical but stable condition.
The shooting took place outside Sei Less, an Asian fusion restaurant, which happens to be a favorite hotspot of celebrities including Cardi B, 50 Cent, Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg. The Daily Mail reached out to the establishment for comment.
The altercation is said to have occurred after a verbal dispute escalated, resulting in the gunman firing two shots.
There have been no arrests so far as police investigate the shooting. Police say they are looking for a man who fled in a blue BMW in connection to the shooting.
‘We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time,’ the Jets said in a brief statement after news of the shooting broke.
Boyd’s Jets teammate Jermain Johnson II called for fans to keep the cornerback in their prayers as he spoke out on the shooting.
On X, Johnson posted: ‘Everybody please send prayers to my brother and teammate Kris Boyd and his family!!! Lord please hold your healing hand over Kris and guide him back to health and safety. Lord I ask that you please just get him through this safely. In your name, Amen.’
Elsewhere across the football community, well wishes flooded in for Boyd as former-player-turned-analyst Emmanuel Acho wrote: ‘Praying for @TexasFootball alum, and current Jets player, Kris Boyd. This is too much man.’
Boyd is in his first season with the Jets after he signed with them in free agency in March.
The Texas native, who has earned more than $8 million in his career, signed a $1.6 million contract with Gang Green, according to Spotrac.com.
He had suited up for the Houston Texans over the past two seasons. He also enjoyed a stint with the Ariz
New York is not scheduled to play on Sunday after having faced the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
Boyd is currently listed on the Jets’ injured reserve and was not active for the Week 11 defeat to the Patriots, which saw them slump to 2-8 for the season.
Boyd made headlines in January when he stunned fans during the first half of the Texans’ Divisional Round playoff defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was caught on camera ripping his helmet off, storming to the sidelines and almost knocking special teams coach Ross to the ground.
His actions sparked fury from viewers with many fans calling for him to be immediately cut from the team, but Boyd later revealed that the backlash reached vile levels.
One day after the game, Boyd took to his Instagram stories to reveal that he had been receiving racist messages ‘every second’ since his shocking sideline incident.