Police search for gunman in Manhattan shooting that injured an innocent bystander.
NYPD detectives are on the hunt for a suspect involved in a shocking daylight shooting incident that left an innocent bystander injured. The victim, 64-year-old Francisca Nunez, was walking near the intersection of West 204th Street and Broadway in Inwood around 4:15 PM on November 24 when a stray bullet struck her in the buttocks. Authorities state the gunfire was directed at a group of males, but only Nunez suffered injury from the altercation.
The assailant, described as a young man wearing a black fur-lined coat, opened fire during a confrontation involving numerous teens allegedly arguing in the vicinity. Following the shooting, police released surveillance images of the suspect in an effort to solicit information from the public.
Nunez is recovering at Harlem Hospital, where she remains in stable condition. From her hospital bed, she recounted the chaotic scene, noting that she had observed a group of teenagers clad in black clothing engaged in a heated argument. According to her account, the situation escalated when one individual brandished a knife, and it was moments later that she heard a gunshot and felt pain. The elderly woman reported feeling a heat sensation in her leg and subsequently saw blood.
Nunez’s injuries require ongoing medical evaluation, with the bullet still lodged in her upper thigh. The retired mother of four expressed her fear of walking the streets post-incident and voiced her frustration with the escalating gun violence in New York City. She emphasized the need for young people to focus on their education rather than engaging in dangerous street confrontations.
Police confirmed that only a single bullet was discharged during the incident, which ultimately struck Nunez. A clear motive has yet to be established, though the investigation is ongoing. The assailant was last seen fleeing the scene in a southerly direction along Vermilyea Avenue. He has a medium complexion and was last observed wearing grey sweatpants and black sneakers.
Authorities are urging anyone with information concerning the incident or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All leads will be treated with strict confidentiality. The community is still reeling from this brazen act of gun violence, prompting calls for increased safety measures in neighborhoods throughout the city.
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