TEMPLE HILLS, Md. — Police are investigating a shooting that left several people wounded, including a child in Temple Hills on the Fourth of July.
According to the Prince George's County Police Department, the shooting happened in the 4500 block of Akron Street.
In a press conference Thursday night, Prince George's Police Chief Malik Aziz said shortly before 8 p.m. two people started shooting at another person.
Three people were hurt in the shooting. The victims include two adults and a child.
On Sunday, July 7, police indicated 6-year-old Ahsan Payton "died of his injuries." Payton was taken to a care hospital right after the shooting.
Preliminarily, police say one of the adult victims was grazed by a bullet, while the other adult was shot and is expected to survive. However, the child was critically wounded in the shooting and taken to an area hospital.
Police also affirmed they are investigating the relationship between the minor and the two others shot.
Various politicians have expressed there is still work to do to minimize crime in Maryland. Angela Alsobrooks, executive of Prince George's County, said, "We are seeing crimes come down. Fewer homicides this year. Every category except one, we're lower than we were last year but still have a lot of work to do."
Adding to Alsobrooks, State Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy indicated her team is working tirelessly to find the suspects. Braveboy declared, "Our law enforcement officers are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend those suspects responsible for this atrocity. We will not rest until justice is served. Let me be clear: any individuals found to be involved in this shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will pursue every avenue within our discretion to ensure that those responsible for this violence face the consequences of their actions. This must stop."
A WUSA9 team was dispatched to the area to talk to our viewers. Neighbors told our reporters they might stop celebrating 4th of July parties, a 20-year-old tradition in this community, outdoors:
"So, we won’t be doing this again, so it’s kind of messed up because we actually used to do it every year for the kids. It’s unfortunate that actually a kid got shot," said a neighbor.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Prince George's County Police Department Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.
If you want to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477, text your tip to 274637, or go to www.pgpolice.org and submit a tip online.
Police is offering a reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case
More updates coming.
No suspect information has been released. There is no word on any possible motive or what may have happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks spoke at the press conference, saying the shooting is unacceptable.
"All of these occasions, the ones that our community have a right to enjoy together, they had a right to enjoy coming together tonight as families, they turn violent when someone brings a gun," said Alsobrooks. "We have got to get these guns off the street."
Anyone with information may contact Prince George's County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com.
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