A 61-year-old man was shot in the leg during an apparent attempted robbery Saturday afternoon in Williamsbridge, according to police.

The shooting happened near the corner of Bronxwood Avenue and East 221st Street around 4 p.m.

Police said the victim was approached by a person who tried to take his bookbag. When the man resisted, investigators say the suspect shot him in the left leg before fleeing the area.

The victim was taken to Jacobi Hospital, according to the FDNY.

News 12 crews observed blood on a curb and a towel left behind after police cleared the scene.

A 12-year-old boy who lives in a building next to where the shooting took place told News 12 he was playing video games when he heard a loud bang followed by screaming outside his window. He said his aunt called 911.

One neighbor, who goes by the name Sunshine and did not want to appear on camera, says she has become accustomed to hearing about gun violence.

"It's normal at this point. This is just the reality," Sunshine said.

Sunshine adds she had not personally witnessed the shooting.

"I wasn't here at the moment. First time I heard of a shooting in the area though, and it's been a year and some change," Sunshine said.

With the suspect still at large, the 12-year-old told News 12 that he and his friends no longer feel safe playing outside.

Police described the suspect as a man who was last seen wearing all black and a black face mask.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Sunshine urged an end to violence in the community.

"We're all human and we all just want to live. Let's just learn to get along. There's no reason to shoot anyone," she said.