Retiree, 64, hit by stray bullet during broad daylight NYC shootout: ‘It’s happening too often’
64-Year-Old Woman Recovering After Being Hit by Stray Bullet in Manhattan
A 64-year-old retiree, Francisca Nunez, was on her way to pick up a Thanksgiving turkey when she was struck by a stray bullet during a shootout in broad daylight in Manhattan. The incident occurred at West 204th Street and Broadway at 4:18 p.m. on Monday, with the perpetrators still at large, according to police reports.
Nunez was hit in the buttocks by the bullet, which is now lodged dangerously close to her spine. She is currently receiving treatment at Harlem Hospital, where doctors have been unable to remove the bullet. Her friend, Jose Louis, expressed anger and concern for Nunez’s well-being, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The shooting involved a group of teen hoodlums, with at least a half-dozen suspects believed to be responsible. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and it is unknown who the intended target was when Nunez was accidentally hit instead.
Speaking to WABC Eyewitness News, Nunez recounted the terrifying moment when the shots rang out, causing her to fall to the ground. She described feeling the “heat” from the bullet before realizing she had been injured.
Despite an ongoing manhunt for the suspects, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Nunez, who had retired to the Dominican Republic but was visiting New York, was planning to return home next month before the unfortunate incident occurred.
According to Louis, Nunez was in the area to take advantage of Thanksgiving donations, including turkeys and other holiday essentials. He expressed dismay at the frequency of such violent incidents in the neighborhood and called for accountability from those responsible for carrying out such acts.
As Nunez continues her recovery in the hospital, her loved ones and community members are hopeful for her swift healing and justice for the senseless act of violence that has disrupted her life. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by gun violence and the need for greater efforts to ensure public safety in urban areas.
