A 12-year-old girl was killed and three adults were injured after two gunmen allegedly exchanged fire during a dispute near a youth football game in Baltimore, Maryland, authorities said Saturday.
The girl appears to have been caught in the crossfire at Leon Day Park, where a youth football league was hosting its homecoming event, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a news conference.
The confrontation reportedly began with an argument over a parking space, according to Worley.
“What we know is that there was some type of argument between two cowards, and of course, they both opened fire on each other,” Worley said.
“In the crossfire, a 12-year-old little girl who was probably down there watching football was shot and killed,” he added.
Police were searching for at least two suspects Saturday evening. Authorities described the suspects as adult men, and no arrests had been reported by late Saturday night.
Baltimore police told Fox News Digital that officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of North Franklintown Road at about 6:15 p.m. after receiving several reports of gunfire.
At the scene, officers found a 25-year-old woman with an apparent gunshot wound. The 12-year-old girl was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
A 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old man also arrived separately at nearby hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds, police said.
The three surviving victims were all reported to be in stable condition.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott condemned the shooting, saying it happened because two adults were unable to settle an argument without resorting to gunfire.
“Two grown men got into an argument and now a 12-year-old is gone,” he said.
“What happened out here today is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Scott added.
Scott said the girl’s death would deeply affect the Baltimore community and expressed his condolences to her family.
“We’re never gonna see her full potential,” he said. “Her family’s gonna be hurting for this for the rest of their life. Her classmates are going to be hurting, her community’s going to be hurting.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact homicide detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland.
