Police in New York have shot and critically injured a man after responding to a possible domestic dispute on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The incident happened shortly before 16:30 local time on Sunday, 16 August, at a building on Ludlow Street.

Officers from the New York Police Department’s 7th Precinct were called to the scene following a 911 report. When they arrived, they saw blood on a staircase, police said. A man then came down the stairs carrying a butcher knife.

Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but he did not comply, according to authorities. Police then used a Taser, but it had no effect. Officers subsequently fired at least four shots at the man.

He was taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition.

A second man was found at the scene with a gash to his head. He was also taken to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to survive.

A witness at a nearby bar said he saw officers performing CPR on a man as he was taken from the building. “I saw a guy get CPR and be carried out of the building,” the witness said. “Then I saw two officers go into an ambulance.”

Another witness, Deborah Martins, who was on her honeymoon at the nearby Pretty Ricky’s bar, said the scene appeared serious.

“It looked really serious because that was this guy was getting taken out on a gurney and getting CPR, and I don’t think he’s doing well. And another guy was all bloodied up,” she said.

Police recovered the butcher knife at the scene.

The NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit also attended to search for evidence, while officers secured the area with crime-scene tape.

Police issued an advisory asking people to avoid the area around Rivington and Ludlow Streets because of ongoing police activity.

Drivers were warned to expect delays and use alternative routes.

The circumstances leading up to the confrontation remain under investigation.