Gunfire ripped through the sidelines of a youth football game in Baltimore on Saturday, killing a 12-year-old girl caught in the crossfire and injuring four adults, according to police and WBAL-TV. The shooting happened near Leon Day Park, turning what should’ve been a normal weekend game into a crime scene.
- Where: Near Leon Day Park in Baltimore, per WBAL-TV reporting
- When: Saturday (date as reported by WBAL-TV)
- Victims: One 12-year-old girl killed; four adults injured, police said
- What happened: Multiple shots fired near the park during a youth football game, according to police via WBAL-TV
- Investigation: Police were searching for suspects and asking for information, WBAL-TV reported
According to WBAL-TV, officers responded after reports of multiple people shot near the park while a youth football game was taking place. Police said the child victim died after being struck in the gunfire, and four adults were transported with injuries. Authorities described the child as being caught in the crossfire, per WBAL-TV’s coverage.
Details about the shooter(s), the intended target, and what sparked the violence were not immediately released in the initial reporting. WBAL-TV reported that the scene drew a large police response as investigators worked to secure the area and gather witness accounts.
For youth leagues, this is the nightmare scenario: a community event built around kids and families getting hijacked by violence that has nothing to do with the game. It also lands in the middle of a real operational problem for leagues and parks departments—how to keep events open and welcoming while also managing safety for crowded sidelines packed with parents, siblings, coaches, and volunteers.
Baltimore police have not publicly announced arrests in the initial report. Anyone with information was encouraged to contact investigators, according to WBAL-TV.
Source: WBAL