3 bus riders injured in shooting in the Bronx, officials say
NEW YORK -- Three women riding an MTA bus were injured in a shooting in the Bronx on Saturday, officials say.
According to witnesses, it all started with an altercation between two men on East 156th Street in the Melrose section just after 3:30 p.m.
One man allegedly opened fire on another man, who ran towards Tinton Avenue and East 156th Street.
"He started shooting at him, like one after the other, bam, bam, bam, like five or six shots," witness Mirtala Alvarez said.
"I saw a guy running that way, right, and I'm like, OK, maybe there's danger over there," a street vendor said.
Bullets flew into a Bx4 bus that was driving by on Westchester Avenue.
Police say a 57-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet, and two 67-year-old women were injured by shattered glass after bullets pierced the window.
"I saw a lady clutching her shoulder, and there was one or two persons ... standing over her trying to give her first aid or something," the street vendor said.
All three women were taken to a local hospital and are expected to be OK.
New York City Transit President Richard Davey released a statement saying in part, "This is another reminder that gun violence has no place in this or any city, that it can victimize innocent bystanders, and we are grateful no bus passengers appear to have been seriously hurt."
According to crime stats from the 40th Precinct, shooting incidents in the area are down 44% from this time last year, but some residents say crime is blatant.
"There was shooting over here a few weeks ago. A shooting right here, a shooting in front of the supermarket," Melrose resident Rafael Colon said.
Police are searching for the gunman.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
