New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd was upgraded to stable condition on Wednesday, November 19, and remains hospitalized at Bellevue Hospital in New York City following a shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday, November 16. The 29-year-old player was shot in the abdomen during an early morning incident. The 29-year-old player has a bullet lodged in his lung and has undergone multiple medical procedures since arriving at the hospital around 2 a.m.
The shooting occurred on West 38th Street near Seventh Avenue, outside the Sei Less restaurant, following a dispute or scuffle, according to police sources. Authorities reported that two shots were fired during the confrontation. Boyd was with friends at the Asian-fusion restaurant when the incident took place. He lapsed in and out of consciousness before emergency responders transported him to the hospital.
The New York Police Department has released photos of a suspect described as wearing black clothing, including a black cap, black sweatshirt, black pants, and multicolored sneakers. He was also carrying a black bookbag when last seen. The suspect fled the scene on foot, heading east on West 38th Street. Additionally, two luxury vehicles, a BMW X8 SUV and a Mercedes Maybach, left the area after the shooting. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Jets organization acknowledged the situation Sunday afternoon with a brief statement: “We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time.” The team did not play on Sunday, having already completed their week 11 matchup against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, which resulted in a loss for the Jets.
Boyd signed a one-year contract worth $1.6 million with the Jets in March but has not appeared in any games this season. He was placed on injured reserve in August after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during training camp. The defensive back’s absence has left him sidelined for the entire 2025 campaign, making this his first season with New York without any on-field contributions.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the shooting on social media, expressing his concern for the player and his family. “I am praying for New York Jets player Kris Boyd and his loved ones,” Adams stated. “Although we’ve gotten shootings to historic lows in our city, we must continue to work to end gun violence. Too many young lives have been tragically altered and cut short by this epidemic.”
Boyd’s teammates have rallied around him during this difficult time, with several posting prayers and messages of support on social media, according to sources. The defensive back has built relationships throughout his NFL career, which began when he was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
He spent his first four professional seasons with the Vikings before signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. He then joined the Houston Texans’ practice squad later that same season, eventually becoming a special teams standout during his time with the organization. His special-teams performance made him an attractive signing for the Jets as they revamp their roster for the current season.
Boyd’s NFL journey has taken him through multiple organizations, allowing him to develop his skills as both a cornerback and a special teams contributor. His experience across four different franchises, the Vikings, Cardinals, Texans, and now the Jets, demonstrates the journeyman path many professional football players navigate during their careers.
The incident occurred in a popular Manhattan neighborhood known for its nightlife and dining establishments. Sei Less, where Boyd and his friends were spending their Saturday evening, is an Asian-fusion restaurant in Midtown. The confrontation that led to the shooting took place outside its doors.
Law enforcement officials continue to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the violence. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the shooting and whether Boyd was the intended target or caught in a dispute involving others. The NYPD has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward as they work to identify and apprehend the suspect.
