According to Melissa Alexander, the playground was supposed to be a fun spot for her daughter, Ruanna Brown, and her niece, Empress Alexander Davis. However, the situation took a drastic turn when gunshots started echoing in the area.
According to investigators, the girls were not the intended victims of the shooting. The initial investigation suggests that there were possibly two shooters who fired a total of six rounds in the direction of the children. However, it remains unclear who the intended target was.
“This place is risking my life. It’s not fair that kids like me have to worry about stuff like this,” expressed Alexander. She further shared that her daughter has been plagued with nightmares since the incident and has developed an intense fear of going outside and visiting her favorite spot, the park. As a parent, Alexander is at a loss on how to reassure and comfort her daughter.
As the kids frolicked in the middle of the athletic field, Empress’ mother sat on a park bench, keeping a watchful eye on her 11-year-old daughter.
Upon examining the scene, authorities discovered five shell casings. To aid in their investigation, law enforcement officials were actively seeking any available surveillance footage.
As of now, there have been no arrests made in connection to the shooting of two children. The particular area where the incident occurred has experienced a concerning surge in gun violence this year. According to data provided by the NYPD, shootings have increased by 50% when compared to the same period in 2023, while the number of murders has more than tripled.