CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. — The family of a 12-year-old girl critically shot while waiting for her food hopes officials could better address violent crimes in the future.
The mother of the victim tells WUSA9 that her daughter is still at Children's National Hospital but is doing "fine" nearly one week after she was shot in the stomach. She did not want to be interviewed on camera, but other family members describe the past few days as tough and overwhelming.
The Prince George's County Police Department released surveillance video of the gunman standing out of the car's sunroof as it drove along Marlboro Pike near Brook Drive in Capitol Heights. The shooter could be seen firing the gun toward businesses at a strip mall including the restaurant Oriental Express where the young girl was waiting for her food.
Police do not believe the young girl was the intended target. The car is a dark-colored, four-door sedan with tinted windows and chrome window trim and door handles. The car is possibly an Infiniti. It was last seen heading toward Brooks Drive following the shooting.
"I just seen it today and it's pretty brazen and it's just sad," neighbor Reginald Davis said. "It's sad because there's been about two other killings over here recently."
The family questions if there was ever an intended target or if the crime was a random display of violence.
A reward of up to $2,5000 is being offered in this case. Wanted posters could be seen on display at some of the businesses along the strip mall including a convenience store at the corner.
An employee of the store tells WUSA9 the girl and her family are regular customers. The store not only has posters from police but handmade signs asking for prayers for the family.
The mother of the victim plans to create a GoFundMe soon as details are being finalized.
In a press conference the night of the shooting, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks joined Deputy Kevin Hughes in asking for the public's help finding anyone who may have been involved in the shooting.
"Our kids are off-limits," said Alsobrooks.