Teen Faces 25 Years For Shooting 8-Year-Old Girl In Canarsie: DA

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — A Flatbush teenager was indicted on attempted murder charges for his involvement in the shooting of an 8-year-old girl in Canarsie, prosecutors said.

Tajay Richards, 16, was charged in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Wednesday for participating in the wild shootout at the corner of Flatlands Avenue and East 83rd Street on Feb. 26 that left an 8-year-old girl with a bullet lodged in her skull, police and prosecutors said.

An argument between two groups of teenagers erupted into a shootout and one stray bullet hit the little girl, who was riding in a dollar van with her 43-year-old mother and other children at about 5:30 p.m., according to police and prosecutors.

Emergency responders rushed the girl, who was in critical condition, to Brookdale Hospital where she was treated, said police.

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office believes Richards, who lives on New York Avenue in Flatbush, is one of six teenagers were responsible for the violent outburst.

After his arrest, Richards admitted to police that he had fired his gun during the massive brawl, said prosecutors.

The 16-year-old faces seven charges that include attempted murder, attempted criminally negligent homicide and assault, court records show.

Richards was held on $500,000 bail and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

Photos of suspects courtesy of the NYPD