Young girl shot dead by ‘cowards’ who started gunfight over parking spot
A 12-year-old girl has been shot dead after being caught in the crossfire as two men argued over a parking space in the US, police say.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said police were called to Leon Day Park in Baltimore, Maryland at 6.15pm on Saturday (9.15am Sunday AEDT) where a junior football game was being played.
Leon Day Park in Baltimore, Maryland, where an innocent girl was shot dead. Google Images
Worley said two men had been arguing over a parking spot and began shooting at each other.
The girl and a woman were not targets but were struck in the crossfire.
The girl was pronounced dead in hospital but the woman’s injuries were not life-threatening.
Another two men sought treatment at local hospitals also for non life-threatening injuries, taking the total number of victims to four.
“What we know is there was some type of argument between two cowards,” Worley said.
“They both opened fire on each other.
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“In the crossfire, a 12-year-old little girl, who was probably down there watching football, was shot and killed.”
There were no reports of arrests but police were seeking two suspects and following multiple leads.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the incident was “one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in my life”.
“Two grown men got into an argument, and now a 12-year-old is gone,” Scott said.
“We never should have to say something like that.
“Her family is going to be hurting for this for the rest of their lives.
“Her classmates are going to be hurting.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the incident was “one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in my life”. (File image.) AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson
“Her community is going to be hurting because people can’t handle their conflict in a different way.”
He said the incident highlighted why not all people should be allowed to carry a weapon.
“Not everybody should have a handgun, even if you’re of age,” Scott said.
“Because some people don’t have the mental maturity to have a handgun.
“Some people don’t have the conflict resolution abilities to have a handgun.
“There’s gonna be conflict but it should never end in something like that.
“A 12-year-old gone because two men are b---- asses.”
Maryland has some of the strictest gun laws in the US, with licensing, permits and background checks required to purchase firearms, purchase limits and bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines.
– with Associated Press
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