A 6-year-old girl caught in a New Jersey street shooting that killed a 24-year-old man was expected to survive, prosecutors said Saturday.
The girl was shot in the leg in the Friday afternoon attack in Plainfield and was brought to the hospital. Her 33-year-old aunt was also hit and was treated at the scene.
The man, Anthony Bowles, appeared to be the target of the attack. His identity was released Saturday by the Union County Prosecutor's Office.
According to witnesses, he was standing in the middle of Evona Avenue in Plainfield when someone came up and started firing shortly before 3 p.m.
At least three bullet holes could be seen in the siding of one home on the street, and a car had shattered windows.
"The guy was shooting the other guy, and the guy was running into that house," said witness Jose Hernandez.
Another witness reported hearing "at least 10 or 11 shots."
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Six-year-old Sharlene Garcia was playing in front of the house, and two bullets hit her in the leg, authorities said. Another grazed the leg of her aunt, Maria Garcia, who was also outside.
While the girl and her aunt lay on the front lawn, the targeted victim ran, trying to escape through homes on the street, witnesses said.
"He tried to go into the other house," said Hernandez. "The door was locked, when he pulled the door he went to the ground because he was shot. I don't know how many times."
The man died at the scene while the suspect or suspects got away.
While police investigated at the scene Friday, neighbors were angry that an innocent girl became a victim of what appeared to be suspicious and dangerous activity.
The Union County prosecutor's office would not confirm witness accounts.
