A Newark woman was recently shot in the leg while trying to shield her grandson from gunfire.
According to authorities, the 48-year-old grandmother was walking with her 6-year-old grandson on Abinger Place in Newark’s West Ward when someone began shooting. The woman and the young child were reportedly on their way to a nearby grocery store.
As the gunshots rang out, the woman turned to see two men. According to the woman, one of the men was running toward her and her grandson; the other man was standing some distance away, holding two guns and shooting at the fleeing man.
Police said that the woman heroically pushed her grandson out of the way and shielded him from the bullets by covering him with her body.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the woman and saw that she had suffered a bullet wound to her left thigh. The fleeing man, believed to have been the intended target of the gunshots, was shot in the foot. Thankfully, the young boy was unharmed in the shooting.
Emergency medical responders took both victims to University Hospital in Newark, where they were treated for their injuries.
Witnesses reported that the shooter fled the area in a BMW. According to police, he has not yet been captured.
If the suspect is apprehended, he could face a number of criminal charges, including aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(2), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is classified as a third degree criminal offense. However, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1) classifies aggravated assault that results in serious bodily injury as a second degree criminal offense. This means that the alleged shooter could potentially be sentenced to 5–10 years in New Jersey State Prison if he is convicted.
For more information, read the NJ.com article entitled “Newark Woman Shot While Shielding Grandson from Stray Bullets.”
