A 12-year-old girl was killed and three adults were wounded after two gunmen allegedly opened fire during a dispute near a youth football game in Baltimore, Maryland, authorities said Saturday.
The preteen girl was apparently caught in the crossfire at Leon Day Park, where a youth football league was holding its homecoming event, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said during a news conference.
The two men are believed to have been in a dispute that started 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.
As of Saturday evening, police said they were searching for at least two suspects, whom authorities described as adult men. No arrests had been announced as of late Saturday night.
Baltimore police told Fox News Digital that officers responded to the 1200 block of North Franklintown Road at approximately 6:15 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunfire.
Officers found a 25-year-old woman suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and the 12-year-old girl, who was transported to a hospital but later pronounced dead.
A 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old man separately walked into area hospitals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds, police said.
All three surviving victims were listed in stable condition.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott gave an emotionally charged reaction to the incident, which he said unfolded because two adults couldn’t resolve an argument without guns.
“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 have a profound impact on the community before offering 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 asked to call homicide detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland.
