Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Gun Used In Fatal Times Square Shooting Traced Back To Virginia
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 12, 2009
Modified Dec 12, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 12, 2009
Modified Dec 12, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The gun used in a brazen Times Square shootout was stolen from its owner in Virginia last month. The knock-off MAC-10 pistol was sold at Dale's Guns on Oct. 18 in Powhatan, Virginia before being reported stolen from a car 10 days later in Richmond, Virginia, according to the Daily News.
Cops said the original buyer was 25-year-old Richmond-native Jordan Kelsey-Stewart, 25, who has prior arrests for driving without a license and possession of a firearm with alcohol. Police are trying to determine whether or not she knew Raymond "Ready" Martinez before the rapper and street peddler acquired her gun, opened fire at police, and was gunned down after his weapon jammed because he was holding it incorrectly.
Gun store owner Dale Blankenship said Kelsey-Stewart had all the proper identification and passed a background check before purchasing the handgun. According to 1010WINS, Martinez — who did not have a license to own a gun — was "carrying a pocketful of business cards from Virginia gun dealers" when he was killed.
Mayor Bloomberg — who has long squabbled with Virginia gun dealers — says the shooting is an example of why the nation needs stricter gun laws. "There's just too many guns in the street," said Bloomberg, who claims out-of-state gun sellers allow criminals to obtain firearms through "straw purchasing," in which one customer fills out the forms and passes the background check before giving the gun to a second person. He added: "This is one of the great public health threats. And our police officers are clearly in danger." According to city officials, about 85 percent of illegal guns in the city come from five states, including Virginia.
Tagged
gun
gun dealer
illegal gun
MAC-10
mayor bloomberg
raymond "ready" martinez
Raymond Martinez
shooting
Times Square
virginia
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .