A 12-year-old girl was tragically killed and three other people were injured on Saturday evening when gunfire erupted near Leon Day Park in Baltimore, Maryland. Police confirmed that the fatal shooting stemmed from a petty dispute over a parking space between two men who opened fire on each other during a local youth football game.
According to Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, the incident unfolded at approximately 6:15 p.m. on the 1200 block of N. Franklintown Road. Authorities recovered two different types of gun cartridges at the scene, indicating that multiple shooters were involved. Investigators are actively searching for the two armed suspects.
“What we know is that there was some type of argument between two cowards, and of course they both opened fire on each other,” Commissioner Worley stated during a Saturday night news conference. “In the crossfire, a 12-year-old little girl, who was probably down there watching football, was shot and killed.”
Victims of the Baltimore Park Shooting
The young victim, whose name has not been publicly released by authorities, was pronounced dead after being rushed to a local hospital. Police confirmed that a 25-year-old woman who was accompanying the child at the time was also struck by gunfire.
In addition to the young girl and the 25-year-old woman, two men ages 23 and 28 were wounded in the crossfire. Hospital officials treated the three adult victims for non-life-threatening injuries. All three survivors were listed in stable condition following the evening attack.
Community Leaders Condemn Senseless Violence
Local officials and community organizers expressed profound outrage over the incident, pointing to the senseless nature of the altercation. Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott strongly condemned the actions of the suspects during the joint news briefing.
“Two men, or so-called men, got into an argument, and now this baby is gone,” Mayor Scott said, expressing deep frustration over ongoing gun violence in the city. Commissioner Worley echoed those sentiments, explicitly noting, “The dispute most likely occurred from a stupid parking spot.”
The shooting disrupted a youth football game hosted by the Charm City Buccaneers youth football league. Coach Mark Brown told local media affiliates that the sudden violence occurred right in the middle of ongoing athletic events.
“Some miscellaneous outsiders caused this situation,” Coach Brown said. He emphasized that the youth organization has safely operated within the community for 29 years without experiencing such tragedy. “We strive to give back to the youth. This happened over a parking spot. It was avoidable.”
Police Investigation and Appeal for Information
Baltimore Police Department detectives are examining evidence collected from the scene near Leon Day Park and reviewing witness accounts to identify the two fleeing suspects. Authorities have urged anyone with video footage, photographs, or information regarding the identities of the men involved in the parking dispute to contact local law enforcement immediately.
