Waldorf Astoria hotel wedding sees woman get shot after man accidentally fires gun

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Vladimir Gotlibovsky, 42, allegedly fired into the floor of the lobby of the hotel on Saturday
The gun apparently went off in the man's pocket while in the hotel's lobby
Maya Rafailovich, 55, was grazed by a bullet in the head and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
Three others were taken to the hospital with leg injuries after being hit with debris when a round struck the floor

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com

Published: 21:27 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 07:25 EST, 14 June 2015

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A woman was shot in the head and four others suffered injuries after a wedding guest's gun accidentally went off during a reception at the Waldorf Astoria.

Vladimir Gotlibovsky, 42, allegedly fired into the floor of the lobby of the world famous hotel in New York City as wedding reception photos were being taken at around 7.25pm.

Victim Maya Rafailovich, 55, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, head wrapped in a white bandage, and missing shoes, but still wearing a little black cocktail dress. She suffered a non-life-threatening graze wound, sources said.

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Victim Maya Rafailovich, 55, was grazed in the head by a bullet at the Wardolf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan on Saturday

She suffered non-life-threatening wounds after being struck by the bullet and was taken to Bellevue Hospital, head wrapped in a white bandage, and missing shoes, but still wearing a little black cocktail dress

Rafailovich was a guest at a wedding at in the Waldorf Astoria when the gun - owned by a fellow wedding guest - accidentally went off

Three other victims - a 38-year-old woman, a 45-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man - were taken to hospital suffering minor injuries to their legs, according to the New York Daily News.

A fifth victim was also hit, but refused medical attention at the scene, the New York Times reported.

The latter four victims were hit by debris after a round struck the ground, Manhattan Chief of Detectives William Aubrey said.

The gun was apparently in Gotlibovsky's pocket and went off when he was retrieving his seating card, an NYPD source told the Daily News.

Four shot at wedding at world famous Wladorf Astoria in New York

Five people, including Rafailovich, were injured at the iconic hotel in New York City on Saturday after Vladimir Gotlibovsky, 42, accidentally fired his gun in the building's lobby

Gotlibovsky told police he's a licensed gun holder and that the gun was in his pocket pocket and went off when he was retrieving his seating card

'It's looking accidental. There's a hole in his pocket,' the source said. 'The woman hit was in no way the intended target. '

The shooter was taken into questioning. He told police that he was a licensed permit holder, but the gun was not initially recovered, the source said.

Investigators believe that the man could have panicked after the incident and handed the gun to someone else, sources said. Detectives were seen searching garbage cans around the hotel.

'We have various video and evidence that we are looking at to further the investigation,' Aubrey told reporters Saturday night.

Though Gotlibovsky was taken in for questioning, his gun has yet to be found. Investigators believe he might have handed it off to another guest in panic

Two other people, likely witnesses, are being questioned at the Midtown North Precinct stationhouse, Manhattan Chief of Detectives William Aubrey said

In addition to Gotlibovsky, two other people are also being questioned at the Midtown North Precinct stationhouse Saturday night, Aubrey said.

'I didn't do anything,' Gotlibovsky said as he was led into the Midtown North precinct, according to the New York Post.

The shooting shocked guests staying the hotel, known for housing world leaders and celebrities when they're in town.

'How could that happen here?' asked a 53-year-old tourist from Holland who identified himself as Anthony told the Daily News. 'That's horrible. I come here and I always hear New York is dangerous, but come on? Even at the Waldorf?'

The historic Waldorf Astoria is a known residence to the famous, as many celebrities and politicians have been guests throughout the years, including Cary Grant and the Dalai Lama