Shooting in Long Beach after crowd chaos – NBC New York

Police said fights broke out in the streets – then gunfire erupted – as officers worked to clear a popular Long Island beach of more than 2,000 teenagers during what appeared to be a mass release of “Senior Cut Day” on Thursday.

Swarms of children from several schools had gathered in Long Beach for “a day of fun in the sun,” as some put it, when arguments began causing a disturbance, police said. Long Beach police called Nassau County authorities to help evacuate the sprawling group, which spread the punch through the streets. A gun went off near the LIRR station.

Police say a teenager was injured. He was taken to a hospital and authorities announced Friday morning that he is expected to make a full recovery.

Shocking video shows crowd and police reaction as gun goes off. Police crouch behind an ESU vehicle, hands on their service weapons as the teens run away. Later, police officers armed with long guns were spotted at the scene.

The people who were there described being frightened.

“A lot of people were in the streets, people were being trampled. It was really worrying,” said Rowan Campbell, of Valley Stream.

The investigation into the shooting hampered LIRR service for a time during the evening rush.

Two people were taken into custody. It's unclear what charges they could face.