Queens shooting nearly claims lives of grandmother, 2 small children

EDGEMERE, Queens (WABC) -- Police are investigating after a shooting in Queens nearly claimed the lives of a grandmother and two small children.

"It almost hit me because the bullet went to the front," said Miriam Thomas, the driver.

A family outing in Edgemere, Queens, came to an abrupt stop Friday afternoon when a stray bullet pierced through the back passenger window of a car on Beach 54th Street, nearly striking a grandmother and two small babies in the backseat.

"I had a panic attack," Thomas said.

With her heart still racing Thomas recalled how she was waiting for a nearby light to change with her 1-year-old granddaughter, another relative, and a 4-month-old baby boy, when they first heard the gunfire followed by shattered glass falling on the children.

"The two babies are OK. All the glass went right on the babies," Thomas said.

Both young children were brought to St. John's Episcopal Hospital where they were evaluated and released.

With several saints and rosaries in her car, Thomas believes a higher power was watching over her family.

"According to the police and the press say, well, my guardian angel was with me this morning," Thomas said.

Meanwhile, police are still searching for the gunman they believe fired from either the roof or an upper floor of the Ocean Bay public houses.

A nearby green cab was also struck at least three times, but police do not believe the cab nor was the grandmother's car the intended target.