Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
In fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence ( see CPL 470.15; People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor ( see People v Mateo, 2 NY3d 383, 410, cert denied 542 US 946; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490, 495). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence ( see People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633).
The prosecutor acted improperly in asking a witness if anyone else had been injured in the incident, resulting in testimony that a young girl also was shot. Such testimony was immaterial to the charges against the defendant, was elicited in violation of the prosecutor's obligations under People v Ventimiglia ( 52 NY2d 350, 359), and was prejudicial to the defense. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the defendant's request for a mistrial. The prejudice that resulted from the improper testimony was alleviated by the trial court's actions in immediately striking the testimony from the record and providing a curative instruction to the jury ( see People v Whitely, 41 AD3d 622, 623; People v Oliver, 19 AD3d 512; People v Kirk, 12 AD3d 619), which the jury is presumed to have followed ( see People v Berg, 59 NY2d 294, 299-300; People v Hardy, 22 AD3d 679, 680).