Gang member arrested for Bronx sidewalk shooting that narrowly missed kids
Michael Lopez, 27, was arrested Friday morning in connection to the caught-on-video encounter on June 17 on Sheridan Avenue near Mt. Eden Parkway — in which he allegedly opened fire on a 24-year-old man, barely missing 5-year-old Christian and his 13-year-old sister Mia, police said.
Miraculously, neither child was struck by the gunfire.
Lopez also faces charges of assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal use of firearm, reckless endangerment and attempted reckless endangerment, police said.
He is a member of the “Make It Happen Boyz” street gang and has been arrested five times before — for robbery, attempted murder, conspiracy, criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful disclosure of intimate images, police sources said.
Lopez was released from prison in 2017 on an attempted assault conviction and served two years on parole, state records show.
He also was convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in 2011 for pulling a gun on someone in Harlem, according to records and sources.
The youngsters were on their way to a bodega for some candy near their apartment building when they were caught in a hail of bullets — a harrowing incident that was witnessed by their father.
Shocking surveillance footage shows the 24-year-old victim knock down the kids as he’s attempting to flee the bullets.
Lopez allegedly shot the victim in the back and legs before bolting on a scooter. Police said the victim is expected to recover from his injuries.
Parents of the siblings told reporters on Monday that their children were left traumatized as they called for an end to the city’s gun violence.
“We’re traumatized,” the dad, Christian said. “My daughter can’t move her arm. The boy has bruises. They have trauma. They can’t sleep. They are nervous.”
“Please stop this wave of delinquency on our streets,” he said. “It’s a miracle my kids are alive. Thank God, but it could happen to any other child or parent.”
The shaken family and the victim are unknown to each other.
The nearly deadly shooting captured the attention of the city, with Democratic mayoral frontrunner Eric Adams even offering $2,000 of his own cash for information leading to an arrest.
On Sunday, the Yankees hosted the family, putting them up in box seats for a day game against the Oakland Athletics.
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