A 21-year-old man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn bodega Tuesday afternoon, and two young girls were nearly caught in the gunfire, police and witnesses say.
Ronnell Bradley was shot multiple times in front of the store on Mermaid Avenue and West 24th Street in Coney Island at around 4:30 p.m., according to police.
Two girls were almost caught in the fire until a member of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer group of citizen crime patrollers, grabbed them and brought them to safety, witnesses said.
"The two little girls were shouting 'Mommy, mommy,'" said the Guardian Angel, Jose Colon.
The unidentified victim was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It's not known if he was targeted. Police have not identified a suspect.
Several weeks ago, a 10-year-old boy was hit in the leg by a bullet at the same corner. He survived, but neighbors are frustrated by the gun violence.
"Coney Island is a great community, and we won't be defined by these acts of violence," said City Councilman Mark Treyger.
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Colon said, "These are our families getting shot. It's got to stop."
-- Gus Rosendale contributed to this report
