LANGLEY PARK, Md. — Officials are demanding change and police are searching for answers after a 2-year-old boy was killed and his mother wounded in a shooting in Langley Park Thursday evening.
Prince George's County Assistant Police Chief Vernon Hale III said in a press conference Thursday night that an officer was near the 1400 block of Kanawha Street when they heard gunshots around 5:30 p.m. When the officer responded to the gunfire, they found a mother and her 2-year-old son suffering from gunshot wounds.
On Thursday night, officials said the boy was 3 years old, but on Friday, Prince George's County Police corrected that to say he was 2.
The officer tried to help the shooting victims at the scene until EMS could arrive. The mother was then taken to a D.C. hospital where she remains in stable condition; police said Friday her injuries weren't life-threatening. Her son was taken to Children's National Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
"That young baby did nothing to anyone and did not deserve to die because someone wants to come out here and play with guns," said Hale. "Bullets come down and have consequences. I can only pray they weren't trying to kill a child."
The boy was identified Friday as Jeremy Poou-Caceres, 2, of the Chillum area.
Deputy Administrative Assistant for Public Safety Barry L. Stanton, who has a 3-year-old grandson, called the shooting a senseless act of violence.
"This violence in this community has to stop, the trauma that families face, that community faces every day over gun violence is totally unacceptable and we're gonna do something to get the perpetrators," said Stanton.
Assistant Chief Hale said the police department received numerous calls following the shooting and detectives are working to speak with any witnesses who may have any information.
"Someone knows who did this," said Hale. "This isn't about snitching, this is about justice for the victims."
It is currently unclear how many suspects were involved or what exactly the motive behind the shooting was when it started.
"A child is dead and a mother is shot," Hall said while asking for help from the community to bring the shooters to justice.
Anyone with information may contact Prince George's County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or through the “P3 Tips” mobile phone app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download).
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment.
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