#Dad hurt in NYC shooting was car shopping for kids’ mother

The man who was wounded as he shielded his three small children from gunfire at a Bronx car dealership this week was shopping for a new ride for the mother of his kids, the woman said Wednesday.

Anthony Jefferson, 39, visited the used-car business on Boston Road in Eastchester around 7:30 p.m. Monday to look for a car to surprise Danica Jefferson on her upcoming birthday.

Instead of leaving with a car, Jefferson found himself — and his children — in harm’s way when a gunman ran up on the sidewalk in front of the dealership and shot a slew of rounds through the open front glass doors, according to police and surveillance footage.

The quick-thinking dad dropped the children seated on a couch to the floor — putting himself in harm’s way as he covered them with his body.

He was hit by a bullet in the right thigh, and was taken to Jacobi Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Danica Jefferson said she burst into tears when she saw the video.

“And I cried every time, just to know that my children were involved and it could’ve went way worse,” she said. “I definitely appreciate him, his act in which he did to protect our children.”

“The kids are not here right now, I have them with relatives wrapping their heads around it,” she added. “Mr. Jefferson is with his aunt recovering. He’s on some pain medication.”

“As a mom I’m just trying to make sure [the kids are] all right,” she added. “We go about our business, take care of our kids, that’s it.”

Jefferson’s uncle, James Jefferson, said on the phone that his nephew’s selfless actions weren’t surprising.

“He is a good person,” he said. “I know he loves those kids.”

“I couldn’t sleep when I heard about [the shooting],” he added. “People are getting shot everyday. They really need to do something about it. It’s sad. Everybody has a gun. It’s dangerous.”

The victim’s aunt, who declined to give her name, simply said, “They’re all doing OK” when reached by phone.

She declined to speak further.

Earlier Wednesday, a worker who said he is with the Administration for Children’s Services was changing the front door locks at the home, though it was unclear why.

He said he did not know the details of the case but is called whenever kids are involved. He confirmed someone was inside but was declining to talk.