Grandmother takes bullet to save grandson's life during shootout in New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. -- A grandmother took a bullet trying to shield her 6-year-old grandson when gunfire broke out in the middle of a street in New Jersey.

There was no question it was a frightening situation in Newark. But Tania Thornton wasn't going to let anyone harm her grandson, even if it meant losing her life.

"He was shooting like he was at the O.K. Corral," said Thornton.

Thornton couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was broad daylight, and she was walking her grandson to the store one day after his sixth birthday. General Burke, the victim's grandson, remembers it vividly.

"He was like in front of us and he was coming down, he had two guns shooting, and he shot my grandma," said General.

One bullet struck Thornton just as she was pulling her grandson to safety.

"As I was coming around, the bullet hit me and I fell, but he was under me, so I pushed his head down and I laid my body on top of him," Thornton said.

The bullet was lodged in her knee. Despite that, Thornton got up and pulled General out of the way.

"Only thing I was thinking was to protect my baby, to protect my grandson. I knew he couldn't. I didn't want him to get shot," Thornton said.

Thornton spent the last several days in the hospital and she got a lot of attention from friends and family, many who think that she's a hero. But she says definitely not, she something better...a grandma.

"Mema, he calls me mema, me and my baby right? I love you," Thornton said.

"I love you too," Burke said.