Brooklyn children shot dead in Ocean Hill park: Cousins ​​speak out after playground shooting

OCEAN HILL, Brooklyn (WABC) — Two young cousins ​​who were shot at a Brooklyn playground are recovering Tuesday and speaking out about the frightening experience.

The girls were caught in the middle of gunfire at Hilltop Playground a few minutes after 9 p.m. Monday at Dean and Thomas Boyland streets.

Ruanna Brown, 9, was shot in the leg and her 11-year-old cousin, Empress Alexander Davis, was shot in the back.

“I could feel my shoulder and then my cousin was screaming because of a leg or a knee,” Empress said.

The bullet passed through Ruanna's knee but fortunately her bone was not broken.

“I feel good, I was a little nervous so I didn't talk too much but the doctors were trying to get me to talk a lot so I wouldn't fall asleep so I didn't really have much to say , but they were asking me about my summer,” Ruanna said.

Empress remains hospitalized but is expected to return home soon and is eager to return to life as a normal child.

The empress's mother was sitting on a park bench watching the girls play when the shots rang out. The playground is right in front of her house.

Ruanna's mother says her daughter woke up throughout the night, afraid of being alone.

“My heart broke when I heard that my daughter had been shot. The first thing I thought was Lord take my life and not His,” said Melissa Alexander, Ruanna's mother. “I'm at a loss for words. I'm devastated. I'm hurt. I cried all night, all morning. I just want my baby to be safe.”

Police are searching for two men and say at least six shots were fired from two different firearms. Investigators say the girls were not the intended targets and they are now looking for the two men responsible for pulling the trigger in the park.

Ruanna's mother said to the gunmen: “Get a life. There are so many more constructive things to do. You are putting children's lives on the line. Innocent children. I'm sure you have someone who admire you and let them down.”

The empress's mother says she is heartbroken that the children are victims of senseless violence.

In the 73rd Precinct, the number of gunshot victims this year compared to last year increased by 76%.

Murders in this neighborhood are also up 266% compared to the same time last year.

“We have the best detectives in the world and we are confident that we will close this case soon,” said Kaz Daughty, NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Operations.

ALSO READ: 2 NYPD officers injured in shooting with migrant in Queens

———-

* More Brooklyn news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a news tip or story idea we should cover? Submit it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If you attach a video or photo, the terms of use apply.