The pandemic of gun violence across the country continues to have unintended consequences for innocent bystanders.  Two children who were playing in an empty lot in Kalamazoo, Michigan were struck by gunfire today during a gun battle between people firing shots from two different vehicles.  Although the shooting was presumably intentional, the accidental injuries to children presumably were not.

One victim, 5-year old Charity Coleman, was getting pulled in a wagon.  A bullet went through the wagon and hit her in the foot.  The other victim, 12-year old Chyesha Smith said, ““I didn’t even know that I got shot until I started feeling the pain.” 

Chyesha’s mother added, ““We just went through the quarantine, so they just been able to come back out. And now this. So now they’re going to be forced back in the house.” 

According to the report, this was at least the sixth shooting or shots fire call in Kalamazoo in the last week. Kalamazoo is a city with a population of just 77,000 people. 

Source:

Joe LaFurgey, “2 Kids Shot after Rolling Gun Battle in Kalamazoo,” WoodTV.com (June 25, 2020).