PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A child was killed Tuesday night after someone opened fire outside an apartment complex near Landover, Maryland.
According to Prince George's County Police, an unidentified man arrived at the apartment complex in the 1600 block of Brightseat Road just before 8:30 p.m. in a white sedan. The man then opened fire at multiple units. When officers arrived they found an 8-year-old boy had been shot.
The boy's mother has identified the 8-year-old as Peyton John Evans, friends and family called him PJ. Police do not believe he was the intended target of this shooting.
In a press conference Tuesday night, Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz confirmed the 8-year-old was killed in the shooting.
Chief Aziz added Wednesday that the boy died after being struck while playing videos games inside the apartment, and said that the boy had just gotten back from school and football practice.
Friends and family called him PJ. Police do not believe he was the intended target of this shooting.
In a press conference Tuesday night, Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz confirmed the 8-year-old was killed in the shooting.
Chief Aziz added Wednesday that the boy died after being struck while playing videos games inside the apartment, and said that the boy had just gotten back from school and football practice.
PJ's mother, Tiffani Evans, spoke with WUSA9 less than 24 hours after she lost her son. She described PJ as a math whiz who loved school and playing football.
“My son was a star," said Evans. "He had a bright future, that boy lived for football, his family and god.“
Evans was in the apartment when her son was killed. She said he was eating tacos and playing video games with his cousins when he was struck by a stray bullet.
"My son was rocking out with his football team yesterday in the scrimmage 10 minutes, 20 minutes later at that scrimmage, he had a good game," explained Evans. "My son got shot in his head due to senseless violence."
The motive behind the shooting is unclear. Aziz said police are investigating and want to bring justice to the family, who he has spoken with after the killing of their child.
"We intend to find the people responsible for this," the chief said. "We want to bring justice to the family. Our hearts are heavy, and we are grieving with them."
Aziz said that officers have been on the streets of Prince George's County leaving "no stone unturned" to find out who killed the 8-year-old boy.
Police are offering a $25,000 reward in hopes it will help lead them to the shooter. Those who wish to submit tips can remain anonymous by calling PG Crime Stoppers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division also announced that they are offering $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the 8-year-old's death.