7 busted in Bx. gun battle that wounded brave dad shielding kids
Seven people were arrested for taking part in a gang-related shooting at a Bronx car dealership last year in which an innocent man was shot and wounded trying to shield his three children from gunfire, police said Friday.
The shooting happened on the evening of Sept. 21 at the On the Road Automotive Group on Boston Road near Conner St. in Eastchester.
The 39-year-old victim and his children were seated on a blue couch in the waiting area when gunfire erupted.
Shocking surveillance video showed the glass doors behind them suddenly shatter in a hail of bullets after the intended target, Hasani John, a 22-year-old reputed member of the Bloods, was spotted shopping for a car by several gunmen.
“He’s in there,” one of the gunmen was heard yelling.
John then reached into a bag he was carrying, pulled out a gun and fired at his rivals, police said.
The dad scooped his three children off the couch and brought them to the floor, tucking them under his body to shield them.
Seconds later, a second door exploded, sending shards of glass raining down on the couch as the terrified father crawled away with his children in tow, as seen in the video.
The brave father was struck in the thigh during the crossfire, but survived.
His children were not hurt. It was not immediately clear how the suspects were identified.
John was apprehended on March 5 and charged with assault and gun possession. The other six suspects were arrested this week and charged with attempted murder.
Zykeith Fearon, 21, was arrested Thursday. Arrested Wednesday were Akeyle Baker, 22; Aaron Heredia and Daijon Crawford, both 21; and Tahari Pritchard and Dorien Alexander, both 20.