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12-Year-Old Girl Robbed At Gunpoint While Walking To School

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Parents and children are on edge in Patterson Park after a 12-year-old girl is robbed at gunpoint while walking to school.

Linh Bui has details and reaction from the community.

Baltimore City Police are increasing patrols around Patterson Park and also putting in more undercover officers.

A walk to school takes a terrifying turn when a 12-year-old girl gets mugged in broad daylight.

"It's very upsetting," said parent Aida Pinto.

"This world is getting crazy," neighbor Frank Superzzynski said.

"It's devastating," said grandparent Janet Davenport. "It's devastating."

The girl was on her way to Patterson Park Public Charter School when a man attacked her a few blocks away at North Rose Street and East Fairmont Avenue.

Police say the man was wearing a ski mask and armed with a gun. They say he demanded the cell phone then took off running down Fairmont Avenue.

"During the course of robbing her of her cell phone, he had asked her to perform a sex act on him, she refused. She managed to push him away and run for help," said Detective Brandon Echevarria, Baltimore City Police.

Fortunately, the girl was not injured.

"It's just shocking for everybody, but she's here and we've been checking on her regularly," said Dr. Charles Kramer, the principal of Patterson Park Public Charter School.

Kramer says students and parents need to be alert and report any suspicious activity.

"I think it's all of our responsibility to look to keep, not just my kids safe, but the entire community safe," he said.

Janet Davenport used to walk her grandson to school. Now they drive.

"For a child to come to school and be attacked, that is serious. It's dangerous," she said.

Baltimore City Police are investigating a series of recent violent incidents in the Patterson Park area.

The attack near the school really struck a chord with parents.

"It's really hard to know that you just go on the street, it's just daytime, and something like that can happen," said Pinto.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information should contact Baltimore City Police.

Patterson Park Charter Public School is working with Delegate Luke Clippinger to hold a forum at the school to discuss safety.

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