Pregnant Mother Of 13 Killed In Crossfire Near Brooklyn School
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A manhunt is on for suspects in Brooklyn after a shooting near a school left one woman dead and two others -- including a young girl -- injured. Police are currently questioning three individuals with regard to the shooting.
Shots rang out around 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at the intersection of Pitkin Avenue and Watkins Street near P.S. 298 in the Brownsville section, where students had just been dismissed 13 minutes earlier.
Neighbors Believe The Shooting Was Gang-Related. 1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan Reports.
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While picking up her child from school, 34-year-old Zurana Horton, a pregnant mother of 13 children, was killed. Horton is being regarded as a hero after police said she was seen hovering over several children to protect them as the shots were fired.
Another unidentified woman, who was also picking up her child, was shot in the arm and chest and is listed in stable condition. Cheanne McKnight, 11, also sustained a graze wound to the cheek. Both were being treated at Brookdale Hospital.
McKnight's mother, Harriet, told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis that her daughter is alive thanks to Horton.
"She could have been dead. Thank God it was just her face," Harriet McKnight said. "She knew what happened, her face hurt. She said it felt like a rock hit her."
Family and friends in the Horton's Brownsville apartment said she loved children, and would do anything to protect them. So when the gunfire erupted, she used her body as a shield.
"Didn't know that she was pregnant or whatever, but I know I'm going to miss her. She was a good person," said friend Tiffany Morris.
Police are also investigating whether the gunman fired from a rooftop about one block away -- 1800 Pitkin Ave. -- where seven shell casings were found. Five other shell casings were found in front of that building and authorities believe they came from a gunman's 9mm semiautomatic pistol.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that a total of 14 shots were fired Friday afternoon.
The NYPD said that two suspects, including the gunman, were still being sought. One was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and the other dark clothing, authorities said.
Witnesses also told 1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan that there has been a long-running dispute between two housing projects.
"It's Howard Houses against Glenmore -- every other day, gangs against gangs. That's why I pulled my children out, so they could be safe from this," one woman told Sheridan.
Police were also investigating whether the gunman may have been shooting at a group of male teenagers on the street.
"My heart go out to the family. That could have been one of us, that could have been our family, you know? This is really, really serious," said Nilda Ramos.
A $12,000 reward is being offered for information in the case.
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