Fears of lawlessness as THREE people are shot dead within the space of minutes in New York as coronavirus cripples the city and 20% of cops call out sick

New York City has been rocked by two fatal shootings that have left three people dead and another in a critical condition. 

The shootings occurred within minutes of each other on Saturday evening, sparking fears of an uptick in violence amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Big Apple has been crippled by the coronavirus outbreak, with its police force severely affected. On Friday, more than 7,000 uniformed NYPD officers - nearly 20 per cent of the force - were off sick. 

Saturday's first fatal shooting occurred shortly before 8pm in Harlem  - where nearly a third of officers have called out sick in recent weeks. 

The Big Apple has been crippled by the coronavirus outbreak, with its police force severely affected. Residents have been left rattled by multiple fatal shootings that have occurred this weekend

According to bystanders, the gunman opened fire on a group of people, killing two and leaving a third critically injured.  

A shocked witness said that one of the victims had been shot in the head.  

'Honestly, we have enough to worry about with COVID-19. We don't need this right now,' she told The New York Post. 

A nearby deli owner told the publication: 'I didn't go outside. I was too scared. It's crazy, man. People should be helping each other.'

The gunman fled from the scene on foot and is still at large.  

Meanwhile, just minutes later, a separate fatal shooting occurred in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. 

The victim, a 31-year-old man, was fatally shot in the head. He was rushed to hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival.  

On Friday evening, another fatal shooting occurred, when a 23-year-old man was shot dead outside his apartment complex in East Harlem. 

On Friday, more than 7,000 uniformed NYPD officers - nearly 20 per cent of the force - were off sick

Despite the fears of local residents, major crimes cases have dropped 33 percent since lockdown measures were put in place on March 22 Pictured: Officers detain a woman outside the Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens on March 30

However, despite the fears of local residents, major crimes cases - which include murder and felony assault - have dropped 33 percent since lockdown measures were put in place on March 22, according to a MarketWatch report. 

However, in poorer neighborhoods, lesser crimes are actually on the rise.

In southeast Queens, there has been a 50 percent increase in burglaries and car thefts over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, in East and Central Harlem, burglaries are up 18 percent. 

New York City is the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, with more than 98,000 confirmed cases. Over 6,000 city residents have died from the virus.