May 21, 2026 BRONX, NY A routine emergency response turned into a horrifying scene of survival in the Bronx after an ambulance was caught in a sudden eruption of gunfire, leaving first responders fighting for their lives.

Just 15 minutes into Thursday after midnight, emergency crews rushed to Webster Avenue in the Claremont neighborhood. Their mission was critical: an 18-year-old man lay bleeding on the pavement after being shot in the stomach. But as medical personnel worked frantically to save the teenager, the block transformed into a war zone once again.

Shrapnel and Terror in the Front Seat

As the chaotic scene unfolded, a second volley of gunfire rang out. One stray bullet tore directly through the parked ambulance, completely shattering the front windshield.

Two EMTs were sitting inside the vehicle at the exact moment the projectile pierced the glass.

The Miracle on Webster Ave: Despite being inches away from a potentially fatal impact and showered with flying glass, both emergency medical technicians miraculously escaped physical injury.

Chaos in Claremont: What We Know So Far

The NYPD immediately flooded the area, locking down the crime scene as shell casings were marked and detectives began knocking on doors.

Current Status of the Investigation:

• The Teen Victim: The 18-year-old shot in the abdomen was rushed to a local hospital. As of Thursday morning, he is listed in stable condition.

• The Shooter: Currently at large. Investigators admit it remains entirely unclear what triggered the initial bloodshed or who turned their weapons toward the emergency vehicles.

• The Crime Scene: Webster Avenue remains heavily secured by police tape as forensic units analyze the trajectory of the bullet that struck the ambulance.

First Responders in the Crosshairs

The terrifying ambush underscores an escalating danger for New York City's frontline medical workers, who increasingly find themselves navigating active gunfire to treat victims.

While detectives work to piece together the ballistics, the community is left reeling from a brazen act of violence that very nearly cost the lives of the people trying to save them.