New York police have arrested a man who reportedly wielded a gun outside the venue of the 2022 US Open in Flushing Meadows.
Ricardo Betancur, 23, of Uniondale in Long Island, was in the passenger seat of a 2018 black Lexus at around 3pm on Saturday as the vehicle neared the arenas where matches were taking place. Police are said to have spotted the man allegedly holding the firearm with his hand hanging outside the window.
According to a report in the New York Post, officers approached the vehicle only for the driver to then spear off, throwing his passenger out of the car. Police were then able to recover the unloaded gun and arrest the passenger, who allegedly was in possession of both drugs and gun ammunition.
Betancur is now facing charges of criminal possession of a weapon and drugs, whilst a search for the driver is ongoing. Police are yet to release an official statement, but have confirmed someone was taken into custody 'in the vicinity' of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.
With the event not set to culminate until September 11, the incident is likely to be the catalyst for extra security at Flushing Meadows. Fans are already subjected to stringent checks upon arrival at the entrance gates.
The topic of behaviour among non-players has already been an issue at the event, albeit from personnel inside the venue and not outside it. Britain's No 2 Dan Evans has forced to intervene when a spectator abused both him and opponent Marin Cilic during a third round match.
Nick Kyrgios also urged the umpire to issue a bizarre warning during his second round match with Benjamin Bonzi. The brash Australian claimed that fans were smoking marijuana in the crowd.
However, any potential threat of gun trouble will be considered far more significant than any fan disturbance. And authorities are likely to be on red alert following the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school in July.
A gunman’s rampage killed 19 children and two teachers. The massacre that lasted upwards of 40 minutes and ended when the 18-year-old shooter was killed by a Border Patrol team.
