Police say two teenage girls were shot outside a McDonald’s on Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
A woman who wanted to remain anonymous says she saw the chaotic events unfold.
“We were in the car turning and we saw the guy standing by the door there, shooting. By the time we came out, everyone was just running out,” she said.
Police say a 16-year-old girl was shot in the leg and a 14-year-old girl was shot in the foot.
Investigators say they were shot outside of the McDonald’s, but couldn’t confirm if the shooter was inside or outside. News 12 crews observed shell casings both inside and outside.
Sherry Gotay says she was inside shortly before the shooting happened.
“I just think it’s really sad. Me and my daughter, we had just left here and got on the train when this happened…We’re glad we weren’t there when it happened,” said Gotay.
A sign on the door states that people under 18 have to be accompanied by an adult between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Resident Kouchi Shirayanagi says it’s been there for a while in an attempt to keep order during those hours.
“It used to be that I’d be comfortable coming here. But because of all the incidents, because of all the kids, you know, being wild and doing stuff in front of McDonald’s and inside this McDonald’s, I haven’t come here,” said Shirayanagi.
EMS took the teens to NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn, where they are expected to recover.
Police say they’re looking for a male wearing all black clothing who ran towards Surf Avenue after the incident.