74-year-old man shot, another injured in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan

Two men were shot, one fatally, on Friday when shots were fired in Tompkins Square Park, police said.

Police were called to the troubled Manhattan park after bullets began flying in the park around 9:50 a.m.

The victims, one 74, the other 44, were both shot in the back on the Avenue A side of the park near East 7th Street, police said. The shooting occurred near the chess tables, witnesses said.

Emergency medical services took the men to Bellevue Hospital, where the older man died, police said. His name was not immediately released.

The younger victim argued with police during transport to the hospital and refused to give any information, police said.

No arrests were made.

Both victims had already been arrested several times, mostly for drug offenses, police said.

In March, two innocent bystanders were injured in the park in two consecutive shootings committed by the same perpetrator, police said.

Waldemar Alverio, 33, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment for the two shootings on March 16 and again five days later.

A 26-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman were shot in the March 16 incident, police said. No one was hit in the second shooting.

Alverio has a long criminal history with 48 previous arrests and was staying at a homeless shelter on the Bowery, about four blocks from the park, police said. Police said the gunman was arguing with someone in the park when he opened fire on his rival. Days later, he opened fire again on the same man, police sources said.

According to court documents, he is currently being held at Rikers Island without bail. Investigators believe the shootings are related to the drug activity that has plagued the park in recent years.