A backfiring motorcycle caused a brief panic in NYC's Times Square last night as tourists and locals alike ran for cover thinking they were in an active shooter situation. Thankfully, authorities were able to calm the situation relatively quickly through a mixture of increased police presence on the ground as well as a barrage of updates on social media.

Following shortly on the heels of two back-to-back shootings over the weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, it's not hard to see why the crowd was so easily stirred into pandemonium as more and more Americans are scared for their lives in public spaces.