Child Injured In Drive-By Shooting Near Fair Park
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Authorities in Dallas are trying to determine who hurt a child during a drive-by shooting near Fair Park late Thursday night. According to police, the incident happened at around 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Second Avenue and Metropolitan Avenue, about a mile away from the fairgrounds.
The child was caught in the gunfire in front of the TMA grocery store. That 6-year-old girl was shot in the chest, according to a witness at the scene. She was quickly rushed to Children's Medical Center in Dallas. The child's injuries were not thought to be life threatening.
"She's a little Hispanic girl," said witness Jamal Najm. "She kept screaming 'papi, papi, papi.' The bullet went inside her chest, so I pray to God that she's going to be okay."
Police said that the girl and her father were inside of their Jeep Grand Cherokee, traveling westbound through the area. When they passed the grocery store, two male suspects inside of a red Chevrolet Tahoe opened fire. A witness said that the suspects appeared to be aiming for a nearby business.
Investigators spent quite a bit of time checking out bullet holes that were left in the victim's vehicle, and interviewing people who witnessed the shooting. One man said that he was driving in front of the car that was shot up. He narrowly missed being hit. The little girl was the only injury reported.
"I was very scared, afraid for my life," added Najm. "Came out of the car to check myself and see if the bullet went in my body, but thank God it didn't. But somebody else, the bullet went through their body."
Authorities are still searching for the suspects, and trying to learn their motivation for the drive-by shooting. Anyone who may have information about this case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-TIPS. There is a $5,000 reward being offered for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment.