Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JAYDEN CLARKE, 17, for allegedly shooting three individuals in Times Square in August 2025. CLARKE is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with three counts each of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. He is also charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. [1]

“As alleged, Jayden Clarke callously fired multiple gunshots in the middle of Time Square – an area with considerable foot traffic and tourist activity,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As we further allege, Clarke’s actions resulted in significant injuries to three victims, including an older man and a teenage girl, who were each enjoying the night with their families as they visited New York City. Thankfully the injuries were nonfatal, and I wish each victim a full and speedy recovery.”

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on August 9, 2025, at approximately 1:17 a.m., CLARKE entered Raising Cane’s on West 44th Street and Broadway. As CLARKE stood in line waiting to order food, an unknown man, who was ordering food at a nearby kiosk, began exchanging words with CLARKE. CLARKE quickly exited the restaurant and began running westbound on West 44th Street but remained on the block facing the restaurant as the man exited. The man retreated into the street as a 19-year-old man exited the restaurant and quickly approached CLARKE. CLARKE allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired three shots towards the 19-year-old man. One bullet struck the man in the right leg; the second bullet struck a 65-year-old man in the left knee, as he stood on the sidewalk with his family; and the third bullet grazed an 18-year-old woman, who was sitting in a passing vehicle with her family, on the right side of her neck.

CLARKE fled the scene, running westbound on West 44th Street toward Eighth Avenue, where he was intercepted by a uniformed patrol officer and arrested. The officer recovered a loaded firearm from CLARKE’s pants.

Assistant D.A.s Emily Ching and Sidney Balman III are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Annie Siegel and Harrison Schweiloch (Deputy Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analyst Joel Torres (Trial Bureau 60), Paralegal Aidan Tous (Trial Bureau 60), and Survivor Services Bureau Advocate Alexandra Minaya are providing invaluable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly the officers of the Patrol Borough Manhattan South Precinct Times Square Unit and the Midtown South Precinct, who responded to the incident, including Officer Andres Nuñez, Officer Vadym Khalos, Officer Christopher Jimenez and Officer Alejandro Estrada. He also thanked the detectives of the Midtown South Detective Squad, including Detective John Lamneck.

Defendant Information:

JAYDEN CLARKE

Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, three counts
• Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, three counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, three counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a class E felony, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.