The shooting happened just after noon on Saturday at Willoughby Avenue and Sanford Street.
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Imani Sharpless was with her 36-year-old boyfriend, Cordel McDuffie, when they got into a dispute with a man over parking.
The man opened fire on the two, who fled in a white Hyundai Sonata to a safe location to call police.
Sharpless was shot in the head and McDuffie was shot in the leg. They were both taken to Kings County Hospital.
McDuffie spoke from his hospital bed on Monday.
"She's one of the most beautiful people, she loves kids, full of life, just a good person," he said. "For this to be happening over something so minuscule it's overwhelming."
McDuffie said it all stemmed from a dispute over parking inside the shopping center.
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"He was trying to go into a parking space...I pulled up behind the guy, he had to back up and I was impeding on him trying to back up," McDuffie said. "I didn't realize it, I blew my horn for a second and we exchanged words."
He said both drivers got out of the car and McDuffie said he tried to quickly diffuse the situation before it escalated.
McDuffie said both he and the suspect appeared to move on from the issue and they continued their business inside the store.
The couple left around 12:15 p.m. and pulled over on Willoughby Avenue. That's when McDuffie said he felt something hit him and the gunman opened fire before running away.
McDuffie said he is holding onto hope while Sharpless remains in critical condition.
"I need everybody's prayers, I need her to be OK," he said.
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No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call police.
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