New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd, who was left critically wounded by a shooting outside a popular Midtown restaurant that left a bullet lodged in his right lung, is breathing on his own as he continues to mend, he said on social media.
“God is real. God is powerful. I’m sorry I have no words at the moment… just grateful,” Boyd posted on Instagram Wednesday along with a picture of him smiling in a hospital bed.
“I’m coming along, starting to breathe on my own now,” the 29-year-old NFL star added. “Sincerely appreciate everyone!”
The update on Boyd’s recovery comes as cops continue their manhunt for the gunman who shot him during a scuffle outside Sei Less on W. 38th St. near Seventh Ave. about 2 a.m. Sunday, police sources said.
Cops have released surveillance footage of the suspected gunman and are asking the public’s help identifying him and tracking him down.
Boyd had been celebrating inside the Asian fusion “speakeasy” before he and his friends left around 2 a.m., about the same time a second group exited the eatery, the police source said.
A few moments later, a fight broke out among the other group. For reasons not entirely clear, the Jets player became embroiled in the fight before the gunman opened fire, police said. It was not immediately clear if he was the intended target.
Cops determined neither Boyd, his friends, nor the brawlers interacted with each other inside Sei Less, a police source said.
The bullet entered Boyd’s abdomen and lodged in his right lung, police said. He remains hospitalized at Bellevue Hospital.
The gunman was last seen running east on W. 38th St. carrying a black bookbag before turning on Broadway toward W. 36th St.
Cops are also looking for two luxury vehicles seen speeding off after the shooting, a blue BMW X6 with New York plates and a silver Mercedes-Benz GLS with Michigan plates.
A license plate reader logged the BMW going over the Willis Ave. Bridge into the Bronx about 20 minutes after the shooting, cops said.
The suspected shooter was wearing a black cap, black sweatshirt, black pants and multicolored sneakers, cops said.
Boyd joined the Jets this year after signing a $1.6 million one-year contract but never took the field after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
The Texas native has spoken out against gun violence and was moved to tears following the elementary school mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas three years ago. He created a GoFundMe that raised more than $30,000 to honor the 19 children and two teachers killed by an 18-year-old gunman.
“They had to identify these kids by their backpacks,” he said during an interview with the Minnesota Vikings Podcast at the time. “I was devastated. I cried.”
Anyone with information about the shooter is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
