A seven-month-old baby girl is dead after being struck by a stray bullet in New York City on Wednesday, in what authorities say was a gang-motivated shooting that has left the city in shock.
New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the infant was seated in her stroller when she was hit by gunfire. The child was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
"This is an absolute tragedy," Commissioner Tisch said, adding that investigators believe the shooting was gang-related and that the baby was not the intended target.
What Investigators Know
Police say the shooting occurred in the afternoon hours in New York City. Detectives are working to identify the shooter or shooters involved, and the investigation remains active. No arrests had been announced as of initial reports.
Authorities indicated the child's family was in the area when the shooting broke out, and the infant was caught in the crossfire. The precise neighbourhood and additional details about the circumstances were being withheld pending the ongoing investigation.
Community Reaction
The killing of an infant drew immediate outrage from community members, elected officials, and law enforcement leaders across the city. Commissioner Tisch called on the public to come forward with any information that could assist investigators in bringing those responsible to justice.
"No child — no family — should ever have to endure something like this. We will find who did this." — NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch
The tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about gang violence and gun crime in major American urban centres, and renews calls for stricter enforcement measures and community intervention programmes aimed at disrupting gang activity before it claims innocent lives.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline.
Source: CBS News. This article is based on reporting by CBS News journalist Jared Ochacher.