Federal prosecutor, 34, is struck in the eye by stray bullet outside Brooklyn restaurant while bystander is shot in the foot as dispute between two rival gangs erupts in violence
A federal prosecutor was caught in a hail of bullets while on an evening out at a restaurant in Brooklyn.
Mollie Bracewell, 34, who works in Manhattan's US Attorney's office was struck by a stray bullet on Friday night while at the Thai restaurant, Muse.
The Harvard Law graduate felt pain in her left eye. An X-ray taken at Kings County Hospital later found a bullet fragment had become lodged under her eye.
As diners were sent diving for cover as at least four shots rang out, another passerby was also hit.
Benjamin Bustamante, a 31-year-old man was simply strolling by the trendy Washington Avenue restaurant when he was shot in the foot. He was taken to Methodist Hospital.
The shooting occurred after an argument between two rival gangs turned violent, according to the New York Post.
A 17-year-old man was was arrested in connection with the shootings and charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Police are now trying to establish whether he fired the shots.
Bracewell had worked on cases in the general crimes and narcotics units of the US Attorney office. She had also prosecuted sex trafficking.
The shooting happened outside trendy Brooklyn Thai restaurant, Muse
'They shot the glass door and the glass door was broken,' said the manager of Muse, Onvadee Bunsri who described the chaotic scene. 'The customers were down on the floor. Everyone was down on the floor.'
'This is really scary. She was just eating,' Bunsri said, referring to Bracewell.
The latest shooting is part of a dramatic rise in gun violence in New York City over the last few months.
Shootings have rocketed 82 percent compared to last year.
There have been 490 shootings until May 16 compared to 270 during the same period last year according to stats released by the NYPD.
There have been a total of 146 murders in New York City in 2021 as of May 9 compared to 115 by the same date in 2020, a 27% increase.
'Unfortunately, it won't take a federal prosecutor getting shot dining al fresco for the mayor, City Council, Corey Johnson, and their gaggle of defund the police activists to admit they've gone too far,' said retired NYPD sergeant Joseph Giacalone to The Post.
'Shootings and murders have ravaged minority neighborhoods the past year and their silence has been deafening.'
NYPD crime figures show felony assault was up 35.6% in April from last year, murder has increased 15.8% and robbery had soared by 28.6%
