Cops have nabbed a second suspect in the stray-bullet wounding of a 7-year-old Brooklyn girl — as authorities revealed the creep was free without bail at the time despite a felony robbery rap hanging over his head.
Robert Cooper, who is charged with attempted murder in the chilling March 22 shooting — and is now being held at Rikers Island on $25,000 bail — was cut loose by a judge in February after allegedly pummeling a 39-year-old man and stealing his food on Staten Island.
Cooper, 31, was accused of punching the victim and stealing nearly $45 worth of food from him shortly after noon on Feb. 13 on Ada Drive, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
The Staten Island District Attorney’s Office asked that Cooper be held on $3,000 bail, sources told The Post.
Instead, Judge Gerianne Abriano released Cooper without bail, records confirm.
Weeks later, Cooper was still walking the streets of the Big Apple and he and another man, Jaden Baskerville, allegedly opened fire while driving in a black sedan near the corner of West 30th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island.
Police at the scene of where 7-year-old girl Shauntae Gibbs was hit by a stray bullet in Brooklyn on March 21, 2022. Wayne Carrington for NY Post
Suspect Robert Cooper was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Wayne Carrington for NY PostOne bullet grazed 7-year-old Shauntae Gibbs, who was walking nearby with her mom.
“They are just still traumatized,” the girl’s grandmother told The Post after the shooting. “I just thank God that she is OK, that’s the important part.”
Cops said three men walking in the area were the intended target.
Baskerville was arrested in the shooting last week, while Cooper was busted on Monday. He was ordered held on $100,000 at his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court, online records show.
Police have not said whether Cooper or Baskerville was the suspected gunman.
A Brooklyn grand jury indicted both men earlier this month, charging them with eight counts, including attempted murder, second-degree assault, second-degree possession of a weapon, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm.
Cooper was arraigned on the indictment Monday and ordered held on $25,000 cash bail or a $100,000 bond, and remained behind bars at Rikers Island on Thursday.
Baskerville was arraigned on June 9 after his arrest, prosecutors said.
Cooper was previously released without bail in February for allegedly attacking a man and stealing his food in Staten Island. Gregory P. Mango for NY PostHe is being held on $500,000 cash or bond, they said.
Officials at the state Office of Court Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the judge’s decision to release Cooper in the Staten Island case.
Cooper’s attorney with the Legal Aid Society could not be reached for comment.
