The combination of the Knicks winning their first NBA Finals since 1973 and the first World Cup game to be played in New York was too much for some people, and the result was riots in the streets. Manhattan exploded with revellers, gunshots rang out, and buses were burned.
The mayhem began as the Knicks took home their win, and ecstatic basketball fans spilled onto the streets. Fireworks and smoke bombs were ignited throughout Manhattan. Crowds of people began gathering, and the energy started to get out of control.
Sports fans, both from the Brazil Vs Morocco World Cup game and the New York Knicks win, began converging in Times Square. At around 2 am, according to Reuters, which spoke to New York police, a 17-year-old was shot in the foot. Police say they have three people in custody, possibly connected to the crime.
The Celebration Ignite
UPDATE: One of the destroyed school busses is now on fire in Times Square
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In Times Square, a number of shuttle buses had been designated to move World Cup fans out of the area after the game. These became a target for the reportedly mostly young crowd. The 15 shuttles were swarmed. As the festivities continued, people began climbing the vehicles.
Eyewitnesses told Reuters that they saw people getting onto the buses, sitting in the driving seats, and one person brought a bike onto one of the roofs. The sheer number of people involved left police and security completely out of their depth.
At some point, a fire was started in one of the shuttles designated to take fans away from Times Square. Footage from the scene shows it burning as people continue to party only yards from the inferno. It has been reported that three other buses were also seriously damaged by the wild crowds.
Uncontrolled Crowds
The sheer number of people overwhelmed emergency services and security. They did their best to keep people under control, but the fires, flares, and crowds were impossible to tame. Footage shows the fire services dousing flames, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the mix of sports fans.
Eventually, police moved in with force, kettling fans with fencing and pushing back with horses and cops in riot gear. The fun was over, and it was time for everyone to leave the area. However, the revelries went on long into the night, with drums, fireworks, and parties.