Man critically wounded leaving book launching party in Manhattan

A man leaving a book launch party for an erotic novella was shot and critically wounded early Sunday morning in Manhattan, police said.

Robert Lowman, 44, was shot six times in the chest and abdomen at about 1 a.m. as he stood on the sidewalk on West 22nd Street in the Flatiron District, investigators said.

Lowman had just left a book launch party for an erotic novella at the Auxiliary lounge when the shooting occurred, according to theNew York Post.

Police officers patrolling the area heard the shots and spotted a man run toward a black Mercedes Benz. The man hopped into the car, which sped away.

The getaway car sped through several red lights, but was eventually stopped by police, who surrounded the car and apprehended three men, NBC 4 New York reported.

Officers recovered a handgun from the car.

The three men, identified as Ramel Harkless, 38, Joseph Saunders, 43, and Barry Wiles, 46, were charged with possession of a weapon. Harkless was also charged with burglary and driving with a suspended license.

The trio have had numerous run-ins with the law, the Post reported. Lowman, who also has a criminal record, was said to be in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital.