NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A 43-year-old woman was killed when police said she was struck by a stray bullet that came through her apartment window in Queens early Wednesday.
The NYPD said Bertha Arriaga was inside her third-floor apartment in Jackson Heights, located on 34th Avenue near 92nd Street, around 12:45 a.m. when the bullet passed through her bedroom window and struck her in the neck.
She was found by her 14-year-old son, who called 911.
The mother of three was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police believe the shot came from outside her building.
"I am horrified that another life has been lost to senseless gun violence," said City Council Member Daniel Dromm. "Bertha Arriaga was killed by a stray bullet inside of her own home. She died simply because she was standing by her window at the worst possible time. Even more tragic is the fact thather young son found her dead. I call upon the NYPD to bring the perpetrator to justice and will do whatever is in my power to assist them. We will not allow Jackson Heights to be consumed by gun violence. My heart goes out to the Arriaga family as they grieve. No one should ever have to experience a loss such as this."
No arrests have been made, but police have released surveillance video of two persons of interest who were seen trying to steal a mountain bike outside the building when the shot rang out.
Police said they are not ruling out that the woman may have been a witness to the attempted bike theft.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
"Any information that you can give us on them or the thefs of bikes in that area would be greatly appreciated," Assistant Chief Galen Frierson said. "Every shooting in New York City is unacceptable our NYPD detectives work tirelessly to bring justice in every case that they're investigating. In this case a mother is cut down by a bullet not intended for her in her home with her three children and her husband."
The investigation remains ongoing.