MANHATTAN -- One person is dead following a shooting in Harlem early Monday morning, according to the NYPD.
Police say seven men and two women were shot around 12:40 a.m. in the area of East 139th Street and 5th Avenue.
Police located five of the victims near the footpath under the Madison Avenue Bridge, and EMS transported them to Harlem Hospital, authorities say.
A 21-year-old man, who police later identified as Darius Lee, was taken to Lincoln Hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities say.
Lee, a Harlem native and standout Division I basketball player at Houston Baptist University, was on track to graduate with his bachelor's degree in December, according to the university.
By 11 a.m. Monday morning, a makeshift memorial of candles and balloons began to grow outside Lee’s home in Harlem.
Speaking to NY1 reporter Clodagh McGowan, Lee’s sister Tiara described him as a good kid who was dedicated to playing the game he loved.
“He’s an innocent kid that’s in school. All he cared about was basketball. He decided to stay outside one day and this is what happens,” Tiara said.
“Great kid,” she added. “He’s gone, for no reason.”
Lee’s high school basketball coach echoed Tiara’s sentiments.
“He was just full of energy and full of life and full of positive vibes. He is someone that everyone would root for,” Chris Williams said. “What the hell is going on out here in Harlem? What is going on in our city?”
Four additional victims were transported to Harlem Hospital by private means, according to police.
Police say eight of the shooting victims are in stable condition and are expected to survive.
At a news conference Monday morning, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell decried the shooting.
"The emboldened individuals responsible for this are exactly who our officers are battling every day to make our city safe," Sewell said.
Police say a gun was recovered at the scene and are now calling on the public to come forward with any information that may lead to an arrest.