A 17-year-old boy was shot in the chest trying to break up a robbery outside a Brooklyn high school, police sources said.
Four male suspects are in custody and have been charged, according to authorities.
The shooting happened after a fight on a playground outside William Grady High School, according to police and witnesses. A group of teenagers went to the basketball court to demand a 16-year-old turn over his bag.
The boy refused, and that's when Fritz Pascal stepped in to try to protect him.
According to a friend of Pascal who witnessed the incident but did not want to be identified, "one of the kids came out with a gun and shot him in the back."
Pascal, an offensive lineman for Grady High School's football team, was taken to Lutheran Hospital to undergo surgery.
Friends said the boy being bullied was considerably smaller in size than Pascal and they were not surprised Pascal stepped in.
Local
"He's a friendly person," the witness said of the victim. "If he knows you, he's gonna help you."
Neighbors said violence is not new in Brighton Beach, but it was unusual to experience a shooting during school hours.
"I find it very disturbing that this would happen in broad daylight with young children and stuff in the area," said Gloria White.
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