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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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Mason Shot in Broad Daylight by Chain-Snatching Thief, Boss Says

 A worker was shot in broad daylight in East New York, his boss said.
A worker was shot in broad daylight in East New York, his boss said.
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Roy Renna/BMR Breaking News

BROOKLYN — A 21-year-old stone mason was shot four times in broad daylight after refusing to give a would-be thief his gold chain in East New York, his boss said.

The victim was working near Shepherd and Belmont avenues about 10:25 a.m. when the suspect came up to him, according to police and his boss, Ranjip Singh.

"He said, 'Give me your chain' and he tried to snatch it," Singh said.

"He refused to give him his chain. The guy pulled out a gun and shot him."

Michael Steward, 48, was walking down the block when he saw the worker being mugged. 

"Give it up! Give it up!" the suspect yelled while pulling at his green backpack and gold chain, according to Steward. 

Steward then heard three to five gunshots and saw the mugger jump into a car and take off. 

Steward said he and another bystander then ran to the man's aid. 

"No one wanted to touch him," Steward said. "They were afraid of the blood. But he was a young dude. He could have been my son."  

Michael Steward

Michael Steward, 48, and another bystander helped apply pressure to the victim's wounds right after the shooting. (DNAinfo/Kathleen Culliton)

Steward and another another bystander used towels to apply pressure to the victim's wounds until emergency responders arrived.

"I didn't want this guy to die on me," Steward said. "I had to clear my thoughts so I could save his life." 

The victim was taken to Brookdale Hospital where he was listed in critical condition, an NYPD spokeswoman said.

He was undergoing surgery at about 1:30 p.m., Singh told DNAinfo New York, adding that the mason's coworkers gathered at the hospital.

"Everybody just worried that he’s alive," Singh said. 

The suspect was not immediately arrested, police said.

"I saw the chain on the ground," Singh said.

Shooting Scene

(Roy Renna/BMR Breaking News)