A 64‑year‑old retiree was darting out to grab a Thanksgiving turkey when a stray bullet landed in her leg during an afternoon gunfight on Manhattan’s West 204th Street and Broadway. The shot, which is now dangerously near her spine, was fired by a teenage gang that was still at large, according to police.
Around 4:18 p.m. on Monday, the group opened fire as the woman walked by, hitting her in the buttocks. Police say at least six suspects were behind the shooting, but the motive and the intended target remain unclear.
Francisca Nuñez—who had planned to return to the Dominican Republic next month—was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where doctors have been unable to remove the bullet. Her close friend, Jose Louis, who has known her for three decades, said she was just heading into the neighborhood to buy Thanksgiving trimmings when the incident happened.
When interviewed by WABC Eyewitness News, Nuñez described feeling the “heat” from the bullet before seeing blood spurt from her leg. She said the teens were arguing, one of them pulled a knife, and then the gunfire began, knocking her to the ground.
Louis expressed anger, noting that the bullet could have killed her or injured her in a much more serious way. He said it was especially heartbreaking because the event occurred right before Thanksgiving, a holiday normally associated with family and celebration. “It’s sad that it happened. No matter what day or time, but it’s even sadder because it happened so close to Thanksgiving,” he told The Post.
Police are still searching for the crew and have not made any arrests. According to Louis, the gunmen were armed with both a knife and a gun, and he has many questions about how they acquired the weapons and why they were in the area.
Nunez had retired to the Dominican Republic but returned to New York roughly seven months ago. She was planning to go home again next month. Louis believes she was there to take advantage of the local turkey giveaway, only to be caught in a violent altercation.
The neighborhood, he added, has seen frequent incidents of violence. “These streets around here are very bad. It’s happening too often in this neighborhood,” he said. “Who are you looking for? How did you get the gun? Why are you carrying a knife? Why are you carrying a gun? I have too many questions to ask them.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
