A Bronx father is now unemployed after he sustained an injury while shielding his kids from gunfire on Monday (Sep. 21).
The shooting took place as Anthony Jefferson was waiting in the lobby of a car dealership with his three children. A family friend says Jefferson and the kids were there to buy a new vehicle to surprise his wife for her birthday.
In the surveillance video, the father is seen sitting with his kids when a gunman entered the dealership directly behind them. He began firing his weapon at another man inside the dealership, who began to fire his weapon in return.
Jefferson and the kids ducked in the front of a couch as the shots rang out. The glass window behind them shattered all over the floor. He placed his arms over all three of the kids and a bullet hit him in his right thigh. His wife, Danica Jefferson, told TMZ that her husband has been discharged from the hospital, but the bullet is still in his leg.
Luckily, none of the children were injured.
She said that he will need surgery and currently cannot walk. Before the shooting, Jefferson worked as a construction worker and head painter at a maintenance company. Both jobs have terminated his employment as a result of his injuries.
A GoFundMe was set up by a friend of the couple to help with Jefferson’s medical expenses and with therapy for the kids — as they are having a hard time coping following the traumatic experience. Danica says the children cry in their sleep and don’t want to go outside. Their youngest child asked her, “Why did the man shoot my daddy?”
The family has already raised over $149,000. If you would like to donate to Jefferson’s GoFundMe, click here. Check out the surveillance footage of the shooting below.