HARLEM (WABC) — Two teenagers have been arrested after an innocent 7-year-old girl was shot in the stomach in Harlem.
The shooting happened Monday just before 3 p.m. near West 145th Street and Bradhurst Street.
According to police, the young girl was hit after gang members opened fire in broad daylight. She was riding a pink scooter with her father walking next to her at the time of the shooting.
19-year-old Daniel Idowu and an unnamed 17-year-old minor are facing a slew of charges, including attempted murder, following the shooting. Idowu is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old could not be housed at Central Bookings due to his age.
The 7-year-old was rushed to Harlem Hospital in a patrol car and arrived in stable condition, according to police.
“When I ran upstairs, I saw the police carrying the girl to a patrol car, and then her father was inconsolable. That’s all I remember having to calm her father down,” said witness Angel Casanova.
“He said it was him who got shot. He said, I wish it was me, they could have killed me, they could have killed me.”
Police said the girl was shot outside a Starbucks and the front window was shattered by a bullet. At least nine shots were fired.
“She was in complete shock when she looked at her wound, it was just crazy,” Casanova said.
According to police, the gang members tried to take out a rival, but missed and hit the girl.
The police quickly arrested the two suspects and confiscated the firearm. Authorities are apparently working to recover a second weapon.
“I really want to commend the quick response of Districts 30 and 32 and we will take this to court. Our hearts obviously go out to the family, I pray for a speedy recovery,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
Meanwhile, hours later, a 39-year-old woman was shot in the leg in an unrelated shooting at 217 West 127th St. in Harlem.
She was also taken to Harlem Hospital, where she is expected to recover.
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