2 Women Struck By Stray Bullets When Gunman Opens Fire On Brooklyn Street
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Two innocent bystanders were struck by stray bullets last night in Brooklyn.
Today, police released surveillance images of the suspect they're searching for.
Investigators said the victims, women ages 26 and 50, were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Nobody should ever have to walk outside their house and feel like they should be in danger or to have to look out for danger. But around here, it's like you have to, because you never know what can happen," Flatbush resident Tyshon Hinds told CBS2's Marc Liverman.
The women were walking around 6 p.m. near the intersection of East 21st Street and Ditmas Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood when a group of men got into a fight.
Police said one man pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds.
"I just heard gunshots," said Peter Meteyeo, who lives nearby. "That's crazy, man. Makes me just want to move out."
The women took off running, but the younger victim was shot in the leg, and the older woman was struck in the arm.
They were both taken to the hospital in stable condition.
"That means I got to be a little safer, I got to watch what I'm doing now, because I always felt this was a very safe area. Any time of night, I can just stroll down here," resident Evelyn Davis said. "I send my prayers out to them. Hope they get better."
Family members said one victim was on her way to visit her daughter in the hospital when she was hit. The family added the women did not know each other.
Police said they're searching for a black man between 17 and 21 years old with a dark complexion, short dark hair and thin build. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black hoodie, gray shorts with a horizontal blue stripe and black sneakers.
In an unrelated incident, police continue to investigate another shooting that injured a 31-year-old man last Wednesday in the Concourse Village section of the Bronx. Newly released surveillance video shows a man wanted for questioning in that case.
More than a dozen stray bullet shootings were reported this summer, including one fatality.
Anyone with information about either shooting is asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637.