Tourist from Italy gets caught in crossfire while visiting Staten Island museum

NEW BRIGHTON, Staten Island (WABC) -- It is a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 57-year-old Marino Stocco from Italy was caught in the middle of a fight that had nothing to do with him. Stocco was visiting Staten Island to see a museum, instead he is in the hospital after being shot.

The hail of gunfire broke out just before 1 p.m. Sunday at Mahoney Playground in New Brighton. Stuck in the crossfire was Stocco.

"I heard 'pow, pow, pow!' I thought it was like some fireworks or whatever. So when I bend down and look out the window, I see a lot of kids running," says Staten Island resident Tysnon Adams.

Police say the victim saw two people running before being hit in the left shoulder - as he was walking to a museum from the Staten Island Ferry. More than a half dozen shots were fired.

There were many kids in the park as violence was escalating, but they made it out just in time.