12-Year-Old Recovering After Being Shot In Harlem
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A 12-year-old boy is recovering Monday after being shot in Harlem.
Jaffari Hopwah was shot Sunday night near East 116th Street and Third Avenue.
Police say the boy was outside when he was struck in the thigh by a stray bullet.
He was able to run to a nearby deli to call for help before collapsing, CBS2's Tara Jakeway reported.
"He said 'please call the police, help me.' And he had a lot of blood," said deli owner Jorge Melo.
They called 911. Jaffari was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.
"He was scared, you know. Can you imagine walking down the street and one of those bullets might hit you?" Melo said.
Melo, who has owned the Barrio Deli for 30 years, told Jakeway the victim is a regular and came in because it's a familiar place.
"His mommy came in this morning and thanked us for helping him," Melo said.
The cause of the shooting is under investigation, but people in the neighborhood say it's not unusual.
"I've seen it. I've heard of it all the time that I've been here," said East Harlem resident Lynn Tiede. "I mean, the neighborhood's changing, but I guess there are still some of the other elements.
Police are reviewing surveillance video from the deli.
Jaffari's mother says he is in good spirts and he should make a full recovery.