Police: 5-Year-Old Boy Suffers Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound To The Foot
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--An investigation is underway in West Baltimore, after a child was shot there Sunday afternoon.
Baltimore Police believe the child shot himself. What's still not clear how the boy got his hands on a gun in the first place.
WJZ's Amy Yensi has more.
The sound of a gun blast breaks the Sunday afternoon silence. In an instant, this West Baltimore street becomes a crime scene. Neighbors say the victim is a 5-year-old boy.
"When we pulled up they said someone got shot a kid or something. But we were out here like 2 hours before anything went on. It was peaceful," said Derick Hardy, neighbor.
Officers rushed to the 200 block of North Mount Street after word that a boy was shot in the foot.
Detectives shut down two blocks for hours as they comb the neighborhood for clues. Detectives determine the boy shot himself. Onlookers rattled by the crime scene in disbelief that someone so young is wounded.
"I can't even explain what goes through my mind. Rage anger and a whole lot of other stuff that I don't even want to mention on the mic goes through my mind," Kevin Brown said.
Search dogs zero-in on an alley near the Temple of God's Ministry Church. It's not clear if they find the weapon, how the child was able to get his hands on it and who it belongs to.
"It's getting terrible. A lot of kids are getting hurt. It's like, it's ridiculous. It needs to stop."
Frustration with the recent violence in Baltimore. Fear of the prevalence of guns. Worry that the victims seem to keep getting younger.
The 5-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital where he is listed in stable condition.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Baltimore City Police at 410 396 2477.
