An Indiana college student visiting New York City for the first time was shot and killed by a stray bullet over the weekend.
According to WABC, Ethan Williams, 20, was sitting outside an Air BnB with friends when gunshots rang out.
Police received a 9-1-1 call at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, reporting a man was shot in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood.
Officers found Williams, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police do not believe Williams was the intended target.
As an aspiring filmmaker, it was the student’s first time visiting New York. He saved all summer in order to be able to make the trip. Williams and his friends did not research the location of the rental before they booked their trip.
“I don’t think they knew a part of town they were in; it was as cheap as, you know, four or five guys you know going in together on it. And he was there and just trying to have fun with his friends,” his father, Jason Williams, told the outlet.
His family described him as a smart, selfless individual who did missionary work, someone who had a “massive heart.”
“We want justice for our son; we’ve been robbed of a future with our boy that we’ve invested heavily in and love so much,” Williams said.
So far, no arrests have been made, and police do not have any suspects in the shooting. Williams mother is asking whoever did this to come forward.
“They need to understand that their actions have consequences beyond the moment, and they need to turn themselves in,” Susan Williams told WABC.
