By Rebecca Henely
The wife of a Sudanese diplomat was shot in the arm Tuesday while standing on a public street with her two children near Long Island City High School, police said.
The woman was hit on 31st Drive near 21st Street, police said. She was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center, located at 79-01 Broadway, where she was listed in stable condition, police said.
Her children were unharmed in the attack, police said.
The New York Post identified the victim as Mawagad Elbahi, 31, the wife of Consul General Mohamed Elbahi. Mawagad Elbahi had been waiting for her 5-year-old son to be dropped off from school at a bus stop and was struck by a stray bullet fired during a dispute between two youths about three blocks away, the Post reported. Her 3-year-old daughter and infant son were with her at the time, the Post reported.
City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), whose district covers Astoria, said the shooting underscored the need for more officers in the 114th Precinct, which patrols the community.
“We can’t wait any longer for more cops on our streets,” Vallone said.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
