A recent mass shooting in Manhattan has ignited a political firestorm in the race for New York City mayor. Candidate Zohran Mamdani faces significant scrutiny over his past comments advocating for police defunding. In light of the tragedy, Mamdani has distanced himself from these positions, expressing condolences for the victims, including a slain NYPD officer. While his Democratic rivals criticize his previous policies, Republican candidates leverage the incident to question his commitment to public safety. The shooting has placed gun reform back in the spotlight, and the candidates are navigating heightened public concern over crime and policing as they vie for the mayoral seat.