A 13-year-old boy was killed and four other children wounded when several armed assailants fired at a group of young people leaving a dance party in Baltimore, authorities have confirmed.
As per reports, a 19-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting, which took place early on Sunday morning.
Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski Jr. said:
“This incident of gun violence in our community is shocking and horrifying. It has no place in our community, and we refuse to allow it to become normalized.”
Police state that gunfire erupted just after midnight as people were leaving a dance party at the Triple Threat Elite Dance studio. Investigators are working to identify the culprits.
“As the victims left the event they were approached by several suspects in the parking lot. An altercation ensued and multiple shots were fired towards the group,” the Baltimore County Police Department said in a statement.
13-year-old Rickie Forehand was killed during the incident, while two 12-year-old boys, a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were hit by bullets. Police say the four injured parties have since been released from hospital.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday afternoon, Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said:
“All loss of life is a tragedy … but having a 13-year-old victim is both devastating and absolutely unspeakable. This level of violence is unacceptable. An adolescent lost his life for some senseless and unknown reason.”
A $2,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest has been offered, with authorities yet to comment on a possible motive for the shooting.
Such a tragic and unnecessary loss of life. What is this world coming to when children can’t even go out to dance without fearing for their lives?
Share this article to pay respects to Rickie Forehand and the other children involved in this callous attack.
