Gunfire at Youth Football Game in Baltimore

A 12-year-old girl was tragically killed and three adults were injured when two gunmen opened fire during a dispute at a youth football game in Baltimore, Maryland, according to authorities on Saturday.

The young girl was reportedly caught in the crossfire at Leon Day Park during the homecoming event for a local youth football league, as shared by Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley during a news briefing.

Worley indicated that the altercation between the two men appeared to stem from a disagreement over a parking spot. “What we know is that there was some type of argument between two cowards, and of course, they both opened fire on each other,” he stated.

“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, authorities were actively searching for at least two suspects, described as adult men, but no arrests had been reported by late Saturday night.

Baltimore police noted that they responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the 1200 block of North Franklintown Road around 6:15 p.m. Officers found a 25-year-old woman with what appeared to be a gunshot wound, alongside the 12-year-old girl, who was taken to a hospital but later pronounced deceased.

A 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old man sought treatment for gunshot wounds at nearby hospitals, and all three surviving victims were reported to be in stable condition.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his deep concern over the incident, underscoring how two adults could not find a way to resolve their differences without resorting to gun violence. “Two grown men got into an argument and now a 12-year-old is gone,” he remarked.

Scott further commented on the profound impact this tragedy would have on the community, extending his condolences to the girl’s family. “We’re never gonna see her full potential,” he lamented. “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.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to reach out to homicide detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Anonymous tips are also welcomed through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland.