Police say two cars stopped next to a group of 10 to 12 teens walking on the sidewalk near 188th 64-50 Street in Fresh Meadows shortly after 4 p.m. It was then that a gunman got out of his vehicle, exchanged words with two of the teenagers and fired several shots at the group before getting back into the vehicle and leaving. “Suddenly I hear gunshots and I feel like they are shots, not fireworks,” said a witness named Vincent. “I told my son to come in.” READ ALSO 7 On Your Side Investigates Subway Crime: How Likely To Be A Victim? The 14-year-old girl, who is believed to have been walking in the area and was not a member of the group, was hit in the neck. Police said not everyone knew each other and some were going home from nearby Francis Lewis High School. Two 18-year-olds were also shot, one of whom may have been the target. The girl was taken to the Jewish Medical Center in Long Island in critical but stable condition. The two men were both kicked in the leg and taken to Presbyterian Queens, New York, in stable condition. “I was inside and working and I heard rapid fire,” said another witness. “Only quick shots, and then it was quiet and then a lot of sirens.” Vincent waited for the shootings to stop and then went outside. “I happen to see a lady outside our car, hysterical and crying, ‘They just shot a girl,’” he said. “I’m looking at the group of kids from Fresh Meadows, one of the girls was shot in the neck. To see a 14-year-old girl get hurt like that, I have a 5-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. Really sad.” There is no description of the car or the gunman at this time. No arrests have been made so far, and an investigation is under way. In response to the close-up shot, the Ministry of Education brought in a metal detector to check on students entering the school on Thursday morning and pulled out 20 weapons, such as knives, in the unannounced examination. No weapons found. “There must be no doubt that maintaining the security of New York City is my top priority,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Our schools are safe because teachers, school principals and school security agents work in close coordination to create supportive environments for students where they can focus on their schoolwork rather than their safety. While violent crime and Incidents in schools have decreased, we can and will always strive for safer schools, it is unacceptable to carry prohibited items to school, which is why School Security Agents carry out random scans across the city every day. “He showed a number of Prohibited Items, but not a single weapon. We will continue to focus on maintaining the safety of our schools so that our young people can focus on learning.” READ ALSO Ghost guns: The eyewitness news is investigating a growing threat The Ministry of Education did not comment on the shooting. “It had nothing to do with school,” said one spokesman. “As always, mental health services are available whenever an event affects the school community.” ———- * More news from Queens* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY application for emergency notifications * Follow us on YouTube Submit a news tip Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.
