The mother of a teenage girl who was shot and wounded near the Stonewall Inn during Pride celebrations expressed relief that her daughter survived. Star Lopez, from New Jersey, shared her shock upon learning that 17-year-old Anastasia Cipriano had been struck in the leg by a stray bullet, fired during a confrontation between two groups of teenagers near the iconic LGBTQ venue.
“As a parent, it’s just a call you dread. It’s horrifying,” Lopez, 46, remarked, reflecting on the unexpected distress of such an incident. “You never think something like this will happen to you.”
Anastasia was simply a bystander caught in the crossfire of a violent altercation occurring just outside the Inn in Sheridan Square around 10:15 PM, shortly after the annual Pride Parade had concluded. According to police, a 16-year-old girl opened fire on a young man from another group.
“She pulled out a 9mm pistol and shot twice at him, mere inches away,” stated NYPD Detective Chief Joseph Kenney during a press conference. The shots missed their target but instead struck Anastasia, who was visiting the city from Bayonne with her friends.
Lopez expressed her frustration, saying, “It makes me sick. She was just trying to enjoy Pride, and then this happens.” Her daughter, who dreamed of becoming a doctor, was unintentionally in harm’s way.
Lieutenant Kenney confirmed that Anastasia had no links to the shooter or the ongoing dispute. “It was sheer bad luck. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he noted.
At the time of the shooting, Anastasia was getting ready to head home. “She described the gunfire as incredibly loud, feeling like it was right behind her,” Lopez shared, recounting her daughter’s experience during that chaotic moment.
According to the police chief, the bullet went through Anastasia’s left thigh and lodged in her right one. Officers quickly took her to Lennox Hospital, where her mother realized the seriousness of her daughter’s injuries—a gunshot wound. Following emergency surgery at Bellevue Hospital, Anastasia was recovering as of Monday.
“I’m grateful for the successful surgery,” Lopez expressed, somewhat relieved, admitting she felt lucky despite the situation. “This time, I really am lucky,” she added, emphasizing the importance of that sentiment.
Lopez, who is clearly emotionally drained after this ordeal, noted it’s still better than facing a far more tragic outcome. “I just hope for the best for her,” she said, wishing for Anastasia’s quick return home.
A certified medical assistant, Lopez extended her thoughts to the family of the alleged shooter. Compounding the tragedy, the 16-year-old suspect herself was accidentally shot in a separate incident during the brawl. A male member of the group reportedly fired a shot that struck her in the head, leaving her in a precarious condition.
“My heart goes out to those families. I’m praying for them,” Lopez stated, underscoring her empathy amid her own distress.
The random nature of the shooting has left Lopez with lingering fears. “We don’t feel safe,” she remarked, reflecting on the broader implications of this violence.
