A 3-year-old boy was killed and his 7-year-old sister was injured after being hit by gunfire while at a family gathering in Buffalo, New York, officials said.
Police who responded to the Friday night incident rushed the boy to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His sister suffered graze wounds but is expected to recover, according to police.
“Last night was a very tragic night for our community,” Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia said during a press conference Saturday.
Gramaglia said the shooting had not been related to the family gathering.
“It was a hot night with a lot of people out, and the gunfire was unrelated to the gathering,” he said. “These children were simply out enjoying a summer evening when tragedy struck.”
“A 3-year-old riding his tricycle, having fun with members of his family on a hot summer night, his 7-year-old big sister right by his side, and out of nowhere gunfire erupts. And the children are struck by gunfire,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said.
This screengrab from a video shows the scene where two children were shot in Buffalo, NY, June 22, 2024.
ABC News/WKBW
Gramaglia commended the speed with which officers responded to the shooting, saying they arrived on the scene “very quickly.”
According to Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane, the mother of the two children is a well-known member of the community who is active in Most Valuable Parents, a local organization focused on improving safety in Buffalo.
“She is a strong woman, consistently working with other families to keep our children safe,” he said. “And now this tragedy has struck her own family.”
Police have not said whether any person or persons of interest have been identified as of Sunday afternoon, and they are encouraging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
A gun recovered at the scene is currently undergoing testing, police said.
“We need the community to come together and help us put an end to this violence,” Gramaglia said. “Our hearts are with the family of these children, and we will do everything in our power to bring justice for this senseless act.”
A tragic shooting incident at a family gathering in Buffalo has left a community in shock and mourning after a 3-year-old child was fatally shot and a 7-year-old child was injured. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at a home on the city’s east side, where family and friends had gathered for a celebration.
According to reports, the children were playing in the backyard when gunshots rang out. The 3-year-old, identified as Jaden Smith, was struck by a bullet and pronounced dead at the scene. The 7-year-old, whose name has not been released, was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are still investigating the shooting and have not yet made any arrests. It is unclear at this time what led to the gunfire or if the children were the intended targets.
The tragic incident has left the community reeling, with many expressing outrage and sadness over the senseless violence. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown released a statement expressing his condolences to the family of the victims and calling for an end to gun violence in the city.
“This is a heartbreaking and senseless tragedy that has taken the life of an innocent child and injured another,” Mayor Brown said. “We must come together as a community to support the family and work towards preventing these senseless acts of violence from happening again.”
The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on families and communities. It is a sobering reminder of the need for stricter gun control measures and increased efforts to address the root causes of violence in our society.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims and all those affected by this tragedy. May we come together as a community to support one another and work towards a safer and more peaceful future for all.
