New York City police are hunting a masked gunman after an early morning shooting Thursday of a 25-year-old woman found dead on the sidewalk not far from the New York University campus.

Just past 5 a.m. Thursday, NYPD responded to a 911 call of a female shot at the corner of East 14 St. and Irving Place, within the confines of the 13 Precinct. Upon arrival, police saw a 25-year-old female shot in the head. EMS also responded and pronounced the female deceased.

The perpetrator is described as a heavyset male, Black, wearing all black clothing and a mask, police said.

The investigation is ongoing. The identity of the deceased is pending family notification.

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NYPD crime scene tent

NYPD crime scene unit tent erected to shield view of 25-year-old victim's body. (Peter Gerber)

NYC shooting scene near NYU

NYPD detectives stand outside a Chipotle near where a 25-year-old woman was fatally shot. (Peter Gerber)

NYC officers near shooting scene

NYPD at the scene where a 25-year-old woman was found shot dead in the head. (Peter Gerber)

A large police presence was at the scene, with detectives standing out on the street in front of a Chipotle restaurant chain in Manhattan's East Village located not far from NYU.

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An NYPD crime scene unit tent was erected on the sidewalk to shield the view of the victim’s body.