Four kids were killed or injured as innocent bystanders to other people’s violence in three incidents today.

In Statesville, North Carolina, an eight-year old girl was killed and a nine-year old boy was injured when a gunman pulled up at their home in a car and started shooting.  The children happened to be caught outside.  Ah’miyahh Howell, the eight-year old, died at the hospital.  No arrests have been made.

“It makes me upset that you took my granddaughter away from me. She didn’t even get to live her life. She didn’t get to grow up,” her grandmother said. She described her granddaughter as a smart, sassy little girl who enjoyed TikTok.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a six-year old and his mother were also shot by unknown suspects firing from a car at another group of suspects who were firing back.  Police say the victims were not the intended targets of the shooting. Both are expected to survive. “We are hoping the fact that a 6-year-old child was shot on his porch would create enough empathy that people would come forward,” police said.

In Manhattan, New York, a 1 9-year old was shot while playing basketball.  Police say he was not the intended target of the shooting.  No arrests have been made. “I’m happy,” the victim Jaylin Anderson later told reporters. “I’m just happy that I’m alive and it didn’t hit anything else — an artery, or a vital organ.”

Sources:

“‘She Didn’t Get to Grow Up.’ Young Girl Killed in Possible Drive-by Shooting in Statesville, N.C.,” 3 WBTV (June 29, 2021).

Christine Vendel, “Harrisburg Mom in Critical Condition, 6-year-old Son Hospitalized After Getting Caught in Gunfire: Police,” Pennlive.com (June 29, 2021).

“Basketball Star Injured in Apparent Drive-by Shooting in Manhattan,”  abc7ny.com (June 29, 2021).