UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan — A man eating outside at an Upper East Side restaurant was shot during an armed robbery Wednesday night when he tried to fight back, according to the NYPD.
It happened around 10 p.m. outside the fancy Chinese restaurant Philippe on East 60th Street near Madison Avenue, police said.
According to witnesses, it happened fast. Two masked men rolled up in a Mercedes, hopped out and targeted two outdoor tables.
One of the armed suspects robbed a 31-year-old man eating at the establishment, taking his Rolex watch, authorities said.
The other armed thief went up to a 28-year-old man and tried to rob him, but the victim grabbed the gun and a struggle for weapon ensued, police said.
That’s when shots were fired and the victim was wounded in the leg, as other diners scrambled for safety.
A woman told the Daily News she was on a first date with the victim when things took a terrifying turn.
The two suspects fled westbound on East 60th Street in the dark-colored SUV, according to police.
The wounded man was taken to an area hospital for treatment, officials said.
There was no relationship between the victims and the suspects, according to authorities.
Police said they recovered one gun on the scene after the incident.
No arrests had been made as of Thursday morning.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Editor’s Note: Police initially said the vehicle in question was a blue sedan. It was later identified by officials as a dark-colored SUV.
