12-Year-Old Girl Killed, 3 Adults Wounded in Shooting Near Baltimore Youth Football Game
Authorities say a dispute over a parking space escalated into gunfire, catching the young victim in the crossfire at Leon Day Park.
A 12-year-old girl was killed and three adults were wounded in a shooting that occurred near a youth football game in Baltimore, Maryland. The incident took place at Leon Day Park on Saturday during a homecoming event for a youth football league.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley stated that the shooting appeared to stem from an argument between two men over a parking space. "What we know is that there was some type of argument between two cowards, and of course, they both opened fire on each other," Worley said. The young girl was described as being caught in the crossfire while likely attending the football event.
Police responded to the 1200 block of North Franklintown Road around 6:15 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. Officers found a 25-year-old woman with an apparent gunshot wound. The 12-year-old girl was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Two other men, aged 28 and 23, later arrived at area hospitals with gunshot wounds. All three surviving victims were reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities identified the suspects as two adult men. As of Saturday evening, police were searching for the individuals, and no arrests had been announced.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed distress over the incident, highlighting the tragic loss of a young life due to an adult dispute. "Two grown men got into an argument and now a 12-year-old is gone," he said, adding that the community and the victim's family would suffer from this loss. "We're never gonna see her full potential. Her family's gonna be hurting for this for the rest of their life. Her classmates are going to be hurting, her community's going to be hurting."
Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland.