Police Continue Investigation Into 9-Year-Old's Shooting
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Another child becomes a victim of gun violence---this time, a nine-year-old was shot outside her home while playing on Sunday afternoon. This happened in the same neighborhood where three-year-old McKenzie Elliott was murdered more than a year ago.
Tracey Leong spoke with the family Monday afternoon.
The family says the little girl is alert and talkative, despite what she has gone through. Police continue to search for the gunman who opened fire in the neighborhood, striking the nine-year-old child.
"My niece was laying on the floor and said, `Mommy, Aunt, I just got shot,'" said her aunt.
Her aunt asked not to be shown as she described the terrifying moments after her nine-year-old niece Jermell was hit by a bullet. She was standing on the porch with the little girl when gunfire erupted.
"I saw a guy just run around a corner. Four kids was coming down the street. It happened so fast; he just started shooting," she said.
One of the bullets hit Jermell's leg, shattering her femur.
"For her to go through what she's going through...she doesn't deserve it. Nobody deserves it," she said.
Police are now canvassing the area, talking to neighbors and even stopping cars, trying to find out information on that gunman.
"The irony of being so close to McKenzie Elliot's crime scene and her tragic death---maybe this is a time to get this one right. If we didn't get that one right, let's get this one right," said Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.
Three-year-old McKenzie Elliott was murdered in a drive-by shooting last August while playing in front of her home. Police are still searching for Elliott's gunman. She was killed just a block away from where Jermell was shot.
"This is not okay. This should not be normal. Only the scum of the earth would do this to a child," said Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott.
Our city's leaders were outraged with the senseless violence and parents fearing for their children's safety.
"It could be either one of our children. These babies belong to us; the Bible says it takes a village to raise them---where's the village?" said Karen West, who lives nearby.
Police are still searching for that gunman, as well as the four intended targets. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
The nine-year-old girl is in stable condition.
