A gunman fired up to 10 shots at the Q6 bus as it idled at Sutphin Boulevard and Rockaway Ave. on Saturday. It was not known if the girl, identified by police as Daja Robinson, was the target. The gunman remained at large.
VIA:dailynews.com
A callous gunman blasted away at a city bus in Queens on Saturday, killing a 14-year-old girl riding inside, officials said.
Police sources said the unidentified shooter fired off up to 10 shots at the Q6 bus as it idled by a bus stop near Baisley Pond Park on Sutphin Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard in South Jamaica just after 8:45 p.m.
The bus was hit a number of times, police sources said.
One bullet burst through a window, striking 14-year-old passenger Daja Robinson, in the head, police sources said.
It remained unclear Saturday night whether the girl was the gunman’s intended target.
KENDALL RODRIGUEZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
It was unknown if the 14-year-old girl was the intended target.
Paramedics rushed the teen to Jamaica Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her.
The bus remained at the corner throughout the night — cordoned off by police tape — as investigators searched for ballistic evidence.
Onlookers said a group of teens were seen following the girl before shots were fired from the park.
Jamaica resident Jamaal Jefferson, 17, said the victim, who he called Asia, was a student at Andrew Jackson High School.
KENDALL RODRIGUEZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The gunman, who has not been identified, is still at large. The 14-year-old girl who was shot and killed was identified as Daja Robinson.
“She was sweet,” Jefferson said. “She was young ... she was going to school, living her life. It’s just a tragedy.”
Neighborhood straphangers were floored over what happened.
“I’m shocked and kind of scared,” said Tanasha Palmer, 19, a York College biology major. “I take the bus to school every day.”
“It’s outrageous,” added Christopher McIlwain, 47. “First of all, it was a young girl. Secondly, it was useless. A life wasted for what?”
The gunman was still at large Saturday night.
Anyone with information regarding the slaying is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.