NEW YORK — A man arrested after police say a gun in his pocket went off at a swank New York City hotel, injuring four people, faced charges Sunday of reckless endangerment and assault.
Police said 42-year-old Vladimir Gotlibovsky also tampered with physical evidence after his gun discharged inside the famed Waldorf Astoria hotel.
Another man, 51-year-old Felix Gotlibovsky, was also arrested, on charges of criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence.
Authorities say the Brooklyn men were at the Park Avenue hotel Saturday night as a wedding was taking place. Police did not immediately say whether the two men are related.
Exactly what caused the gun to fire was unclear. Police said the 9mm Ruger was in Vladimir Gotlibovsky’s pocket when it went off and hit the floor.
Police said four people were hit by shrapnel from the bullet or debris such as marble or glass. A 55-year-old woman had a graze wound to the forehead; a 59-year-old man had a fragment wound to his right leg; a 45-year-old woman had fragment wounds to both legs, and a 37-year-old woman had injuries to both legs. All were taken to hospitals where they were treated and released.
Authorities said the weapon was recovered from a different location.
The Waldorf Astoria is one of New York’s best-known hotels, and where the president stays during the United Nations General Assembly.
No one answered the phone at a number listed for Vladimir Gotlibovsky. A woman hung up when contacted at a number for Felix Gotlibovsky.
