Gunman chases man down New York sidewalk, shoots him inches from 2 children

NEW YORK — Two children were unscathed after getting caught in the middle of a gunman who had chased down and shot a 24-year-old man Thursday on a New York City sidewalk, investigators said.

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Police released video that shows a man run into the children as he is being chased by the shooter around 6:45 p.m., WNBC reported.

The 24-year-old victim was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds in his back and both legs. He is in stable condition.

The gunman opens fire just inches from the children as the man he was chasing struggles to get away.

The children, a 10-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy who are siblings, were near their home when the victim and shooter ran into them. They were “very fortunately not injured,” police said.

Police are searching for the shooter, who was last seen wearing black clothing, and a suspect on a scooter who helped him escape.