Two teen suspects have been charged in the Harlem stray bullet shooting of an innocent 7-year-old girl walking down the street with her dad, police said Tuesday.
Daniel Idowu, 19, is charged with attempted murder and gun possession, police said. A 17-year-old boy, whose name was not released because he is a minor, is charged with attempted murder.
The suspects were taken into custody shortly after the 2:52 p.m. Monday shooting near a Starbucks at W. 145th St. and Bradhurst Ave.
The victim was rushed by cops to Harlem Hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove the bullet. She is expected to recover.
“Clearly, our hearts go out to the family,” Mayor Adams said at a press conference. “We wish her a speedy recovery. It’s never a good thing when a child or any innocent bystander is a victim. We’re going to see this through to justice.”
Witnesses described a chaotic scene.
“There were about six to eight shots in quick succession,” said Angel Casanova, 30. “The police were holding the [girl], rushing her to a patrol car. The dad and a woman were running behind them. He was crying. He said, ‘I’m her dad.’
“When the people knew it was a 7-year-old girl, you could hear a pin drop,” Cassanov added. “She was in shock. I guess the pain didn’t hit her yet. Her dad was crying and praying to God.”
Another witness told the Daily News that she saw two men chasing a third man out of a nearby park when one of the pursuers opened fire.
“There were three guys who ran out of the park. One of them was shooting as he ran,” the witness said. “They didn’t hit anybody but the little girl. It was horrible,” she said.
A 9mm handgun was recovered shortly after the shooting, with police still searching for a second gun.
“There were two intended people they were firing at,” NYPD Deputy Chief Brian Gill said at the press conference. “We believe it’s gang-related.”
