The New York Police Department arrested an alleged gang member at his stepfather’s residence in Harlem on Friday in connection to a Bronx shooting that barely missed two children.
CNN reports that Michael Lopez, 27, was arrested on multiple charges related to the shooting, including attempted murder and reckless endangerment. If convicted, Lopez is facing 25 years in prison.
Police are still looking for a second suspect who was seen driving a scooter. At an afternoon press conference on Friday, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark asked for the public’s help in apprehending wanted criminals.
“It took days for the suspect to be apprehended. But what we really needed was for the public to come to us immediately to let us know who the suspect was so that we could get him off the streets as soon as possible,” Clark said.
Lopez has a lengthy criminal history, including five prior arrests. At the time of the shooting, he was already on parole until 2023 from a 2014 attempted murder charge. He has multiple open cases from 2020.
According to NBC New York, the 24-year-old victim was struck in the leg and taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
The children — ages five and 13-years-old — were walking on the sidewalk, just steps from their home, when the shooting took place. They narrowly avoided being struck after the intended target fell on top of them as the gunman opened fire.
The two children were not physically harmed, but their parents say they have been traumatized by the ordeal. Clark said the children are getting assistance.
