Girl Struck By Stray Bullet While Doing Homework Returns Home For Rally
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens community is saying enough is enough to gun violence after a teenager was shot while doing homework.
The stray bullet struck her while she was inside her apartment.
On Monday, she returned home, CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
"I heard gunshots. I heard my mom screaming to go down to the ground. But when I went down I got shot by the third gunshot," Sanchez said.
The 15-year-old is still in pain, both physically and mentally, after she was shot through the hand last Sunday morning, while doing her homework inside her family's apartment at the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City.
"I haven't been wanting to go back home or anything. It felt strange coming down here," Sanchez said.
Teary eyed and struggling to put on a brave face, Sanchez returned home Monday to a massive crowd of supporters. Local leaders and more than 100 people, friends and strangers alike, rallied around her with a very strong message.
"No more violence! No more violence!" the crowd chanted.
Lawmakers echoed the call.
"You are sending a message that you're not going to let violence define you, that you're not a victim. You're a survivor," City Council Speaker Christine Quinn told Sanchez.
"We cannot have this happen in our community anymore. No more gun violence in Queensbridge," City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer added.
Last week, police arrested 37-year-old Day Bryant for the shooting. His distraught mother was also in the crowd to welcome Sanchez home. She said her son is innocent, and was taking care of his toddler sons when gunfire erupted last weekend.
"My son was home. He can't be two places at the same time. The shooting happened at 5. My son was home!" Pricilla Bryant said. "The whole community knows, but people are afraid to come forward."
Sanchez and her family said regardless of the arrest, they don't feel safe in their home. They've moved out with an overwhelming amount of gratitude that Amy survived.
"I give a thousand thanks to God she's living," said Martha Sanchez, Amy's mother.
Councilman Van Bramer and Speaker Quinn said they are working together to find the Sanchez family a new home.
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