12 YEAR OLD GIRL KILLED IN CROSSFIRE AT BALTIMORE YOUTH FOOTBALL EVENT
A 12 year old girl has been killed and three adults injured after gunfire erupted during a youth football event at Leon Day Park in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore Police say investigators believe two adult men became involved in an argument near the park before shots were fired. The girl, who police say was not involved in the dispute, was caught in the crossfire and later died from her injuries. A 25 year old woman and two men aged 23 and 28 were also wounded. Police said all three surviving victims were in stable condition. Authorities are searching for at least two male suspects as homicide detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A 12 year old girl has died and three adults have been injured following a shooting during a youth football event at Leon Day Park in Baltimore, Maryland, according to police.
Baltimore Police said officers responded to the park on Saturday evening after receiving reports of gunfire.
Investigators said the shooting appears to have followed an argument involving at least two adult men near the event.
The girl was struck during the exchange of gunfire and later died from her injuries.
GIRL WAS CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE
Police Commissioner Richard Worley said investigators do not believe the 12 year old was involved in the dispute that preceded the shooting.
Instead, authorities believe she was caught in the crossfire as shots were exchanged.
Police have not publicly released her identity.
The shooting happened while children, parents and other community members were gathered for a youth football event at the park.
THREE ADULTS ALSO INJURED
A 25 year old woman was also found suffering from a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital.
Two additional victims, men aged 23 and 28, later arrived at hospitals with gunshot injuries.
Police said all three surviving victims were in stable condition and their injuries were not considered life threatening.
Investigators have not yet publicly established whether any of the three adults were involved in the initial dispute or were bystanders.
POLICE INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE PARKING DISPUTE
Preliminary information indicates the confrontation may have started over a parking related disagreement near the youth football event.
Police say at least two men became involved in an argument before gunfire erupted.
Investigators recovered different types of shell casings from the scene, supporting their preliminary belief that more than one firearm was discharged.
Authorities cautioned that the investigation remains active and details could change as detectives interview witnesses and examine evidence.
SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR SUSPECTS
Police are searching for at least two male suspects believed to have been involved in the shooting.
No arrests had been announced in the latest police update.
Homicide detectives are reviewing witness statements, available surveillance footage and ballistic evidence as they work to identify those responsible.
Members of the public who witnessed the incident or recorded video near Leon Day Park have been asked to contact investigators.
COMMUNITY EVENT TURNED INTO CRIME SCENE
Leon Day Park was hosting youth football activities when the shooting occurred.
The presence of children and families has intensified concern surrounding the incident because what began as an adult confrontation unfolded in a public recreational space.
Authorities have not suggested that the youth football game itself was connected to the dispute.
CITY OFFICIALS CONDEMN SHOOTING
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott condemned the violence and expressed sympathy to the family of the child who was killed.
City officials said disagreements should never escalate into gun violence, particularly in areas where children and families are gathered.
The shooting has renewed local discussion about gun violence and safety at community events.
INVESTIGATORS WORK TO ESTABLISH FULL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Detectives are still working to establish exactly what happened before the first shot was fired.
Police are examining whether additional people were involved and whether any of the injured adults had a connection to the confrontation.
Authorities have also not publicly announced whether weapons connected to the shooting have been recovered.
Those questions remain part of the ongoing investigation.
WHY THE INVESTIGATION MATTERS
Identifying the people responsible will depend on a combination of physical evidence, witness accounts and potentially surveillance or mobile phone footage from the area.
Ballistic testing can also help investigators determine how many firearms were involved and whether any recovered weapons have been connected to previous crimes.
Police have not announced any such findings at this stage.
WHAT IS CONFIRMED
Baltimore Police have confirmed that a 12 year old girl was fatally shot at Leon Day Park.
Three adults were also wounded and were reported in stable condition.
Investigators believe at least two men exchanged gunfire after an argument near the youth football event.
The girl was not believed to be involved in the dispute.
WHAT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION
Police have not publicly identified the suspected shooters.
No arrests had been announced in the latest update.
Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the argument, the roles of the injured adults and whether additional people participated in the confrontation.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Baltimore homicide detectives will continue reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses as the search for the suspects continues.
Police are also asking anyone with information, photographs or video connected to the shooting to assist investigators.
For the victim’s family and the wider community, the shooting has transformed what should have been a youth sporting event into a homicide investigation.
Authorities say their immediate priority is identifying and locating those responsible.
