New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd left a trendy eatery in the heart of Manhattan with two other Gang Green players moments before he was shot because he felt the “vibe” inside was off, sources told The Post Sunday night.
Boyd, 29, is in critical but stable condition at Bellevue Hospital after sustaining two gunshots to the abdomen shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, police said, though they did not originally identify Boyd as the victim.
He was enjoying a night out at Sei Less, an Asian-fusion restaurant that is often teeming with celebrities.
Boyd told police that he was inside with two other members of the Jets and another friend when they left because he didn’t like the “vibe” and sensed some tension between other groups who were arguing with each other, sources said.
It’s unclear what teammates were with Boyd. The Jets did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The team was “aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time,” a rep said earlier.
The street outside Sei Less was packed, and someone fired into the crowd, sources said — though it’s unclear if Boyd was the intended target or not.
Police obtained nearby surveillance footage of a car with Michigan plates tearing out of a parking garage before the driver crashed into the barrier, and another person inside opened fire at the crowd, sources said.
A second car followed through the barrier and also sped off, they added.
Sources previously said the shooter fled in a BMW X6 SUV, followed by a high-end silver Mercedes-Benz Maybach, both with out-of-state plates.
Sei Less reportedly hasn’t been cooperating with police and refused to hand over any security footage it may have, the sources revealed.
Ernest Quander, one of Boyd’s closest friends whom he met while attending the University of Texas, told The Post that the 5-11 defensive back was “in good condition” and “doing real good.”
“He’s a soldier, through tough times. He’s fine. He’s fine,” Quander assured.
Boyd was already listed on the Jets’ injured reserve after sustaining a shoulder injury during the pre-season.
Boyd just joined the Jets this year after brief one-year stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, respectively.
He started in the NFL as a pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, where he remained for four years.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
