BROOKLYN — A 17-year-old boy trying to break up a robbery was shot in the chest Wednesday afternoon near a high school in Brighton Beach, officials said.
The victim stood up to four would-be robbers who accosted a 16-year-old boy in a park, at the intersection of Brighton Fourth Street and Brighton Fourth Road, adjacent to William E. Grady Career and Technical Educational High School, police, EMS and education officials said.
About 2:50 p.m., one of the suspects opened fire, striking the good Samaritan in the chest.
The boy, who education officials said is a student at the school, was rushed in serious condition to Lutheran Medical Center, police said.
The robbery victim, who is also a student at the school, was not injured, police said. It was unclear if anything was stolen.
A 9mm-caliber handgun was recovered at the scene, police said.
"We had no problems this year. Incidents are very low here," said Geraldine Maione, the school's principal. "Especially not a gun."
The suspects fled but were apprehended a short time later.
Charges were not immediately filed, police said.