WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A three-year-old girl is in the hospital with serious injuries after she was struck by gunfire in Southeast D.C. overnight, according to police.
Just after 3 a.m. on July 5, officers responded to the 1000 block of 14th St. for a shooting. There, they found a three-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to her upper body, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Medics responded to the neighborhood and rushed the girl to the hospital, where, as of Saturday morning, she remains hospitalized for treatment of critical injuries.
Police said a preliminary investigation showed that at least one person began discharging a gun in the block, striking a parked vehicle where the girl was sitting with family.
“We are praying for this young child, and we thank the medical professionals who are currently treating her,” said MPD Chief Pamela Smith. “No family should have to experience this heartbreak – not here, not anywhere – and that’s why we work hard to remove illegal firearms from our community. We have a team of detectives on this case, following up on every lead, and we encourage anyone with any information to contact us immediately.”
Investigators urge anyone with information on the shooting to contact MPD at (202)-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.
The shooting was just one of four reported shootings that took place across the District overnight as many people celebrated the Fourth of July.