Midtown Manhattan Incident Leaves Kris Boyd Hospitalized After Violent Late-Night Confrontation
Midtown Manhattan, Kris Boyd became the center of a chaotic and deeply troubling early-morning incident outside Sei Less restaurant on Sunday, an event that began as routine nightlife coverage and escalated into overlapping scenes of violence, confusion, and unanswered questions. What unfolded along West 38th Street just after 2 a.m. left one man critically wounded, a reporter shaken, and investigators working to untangle two simultaneous conflicts that erupted within minutes of each other.
The night began with a journalist positioned outside the upscale restaurant, covering the late-night crowd and the athletes who frequently gather there. That calm changed in seconds when Jets wide receiver Irvin Charles allegedly confronted the reporter, grabbing the phone from his hands, slamming it to the ground, and repeatedly issuing verbal threats. Witnesses described the scene as tense and sudden, with several people stepping in as the wide receiver reportedly shoved the reporter, forcing NYPD officers who were nearby to intervene and separate everyone involved.
As officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, attention on the sidewalk shifted abruptly. Just steps away from the first confrontation, another incident was erupting at nearly the same moment—this time involving 29-year-old Jets cornerback Kris Boyd, who has spent the season on injured reserve following shoulder surgery. According to police, Boyd became involved in a heated argument with another man outside the restaurant. The exchange escalated rapidly before a gunman pulled a firearm, firing twice into Boyd’s abdomen before fleeing the scene in a blue BMW X8 SUV.
Witnesses said the shots rang out so quickly that many initially believed they were connected to the earlier altercation. Officers on scene raced toward Boyd, who had collapsed on the pavement, bleeding heavily as bystanders shouted for help. Paramedics arrived within minutes and rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where trauma surgeons began working to stabilize him. Early reports indicate one of the bullets may be lodged near his lung, placing him in a critical but stable condition as doctors continue their efforts to ensure his recovery.
The shooting sent waves of shock through the crowd outside the restaurant, where many had gathered expecting nothing more than a typical Saturday night. Instead, the atmosphere dissolved into panic as people scrambled for safety while police worked to secure the area. By sunrise, investigators from multiple NYPD units were canvassing the neighborhood, pulling surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and tracing the path of the fleeing BMW in hopes of identifying the shooter.
Meanwhile, the journalist involved in the earlier confrontation has provided a statement describing the experience as frightening and unexpected, emphasizing that he was simply doing his job when the violence began. Police have not yet announced charges in connection with the confrontation involving Irvin Charles, and the investigation into the shooting of Kris Boyd remains active.
As Boyd fights for his life in the hospital, teammates, supporters, and community members are rallying behind him. With no arrests yet made, the NYPD continues to search for the man responsible, urging anyone with information to come forward. Our thoughts remain with Kris Boyd and his family as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
