Following a triple shooting in New Orleans, a 9-year-old boy has become the eighth documented victim of a current spike in gun violence throughout July. A 1-year-old also suffered a fatal shot on Sunday, and on 4th of July weekend, six children under the age of 15 were killed in 72 hours.
The 9-year-old boy (who police originally said was 10) was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, which took place in New Orleans’ Seventh ward. According to New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson, the young boy suffered a shot in the head.
The boy has been identified as Davonte Bryant and his father, Donald Bryant, spoke to the press earlier today. Donald said that Davonte would have turned 10 in two weeks.
Two teenagers were wounded by the same shooting, one 15-year-old girl with a gunshot to the stomach, and a 13-year-old boy who was shot in the leg. Both teenagers are in stable condition.
“Innocent bystanders. I do not know what they were shooting for. They are killing babies. They just killed a baby. A good baby. A 9-year-old baby.”
Donald Bryant to WDSU
Reportedly, the three were on a residential street on Monday when at least one person approached them and opened fire. It isn’t known whether or not the victims and the shooters knew each other.
Authorities have asked the public for any information related to the shooting, citing a white Jeep Wrangler as the suspected getaway vehicle.
Miles away in New York, Police are now investigating the shooting of Davell Gardner, a 1-year-old who was shot at a playground in Brooklyn this past Sunday. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio spent time with the family and also spoke with community leaders in Brooklyn.
Via: Fox News
In the same weekend, a 12-year-old boy was injured after receiving a shot in the leg. This shooting also took place in New York.
Sadly, the weekend before this past one was much more deadly. On 4th of July weekend, at least six children were killed by gun violence all across the United States.
All six of them, ranging from 6 to 14 years old, were killed while engaging in everyday activities, including sitting in a car, playing, and shopping.
Starting off in San Francisco, Jace Young was at a birthday party on July 4th and was watching fireworks when he was hit by a stray bullet. Jace was 6 years old.
Via: CBS San Francisco
Again on July 4th, 14-year-old Vernado Jones Jr. was shot and killed in Chicago. In the same incident, eight people total were shot and three were killed, according to WGN.
Via: Chicago Sun Times
Natalia Wallace was shot and killed at 7 years old while playing with other children in a yard. Natalia’s death also took place in Chicago.
Via: Fox News
In Atlanta, Georgia, 8-year-old Secoriea Turner was in a car with her mother when gunshots broke out around them.
Via: 11 Alive
In southeast Washington D.C., 11-year-old Davon McNeal was visiting his family, and when racing from the car into his aunt’s house to grab a charger, gunshots began.
Via: CNN
On July 4th, Royta De’Marco Giles was at a shopping mall with his family in Hoover, Alabama, when violence escalated between two men and a gun battle broke out.
Via: Noticias Ya
New Orleans Police Hotline for information regarding Davonte Bryant’s death:
504-822-1111
GoFundMe: Justice for baby Davell Jr.
GoFundMe: Jace Young
GoFundMe: Vernado Jones Jr.
GoFundMe: Natalia Wallace Family Fund
GoFundMe: Secoriea Turner
GoFundMe: Davon McNeal
GoFundMe: Royta De’Marco Giles
Sources:
Holcombe, Madeline, and Hollie Silverman. 9-Year-Old New Orleans Boy Is the Latest Child Victim of Gun Violence in the US. 14 July 2020, edition.cnn.com/2020/07/14/us/new-orleans-triple-shooting-child-killed/index.html.
Norman, Greg. “Fourth of July Weekend Shootings Result in the Deaths of at Least 6 Children.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 6 July 2020, http://www.foxnews.com/us/fourth-of-july-weekend-shootings.
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