SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Suffolk police are investigating after a 12-year-old boy was shot and injured Monday night.
Police responded to a call about a shooting victim around 7:20 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of Wilson Street.
The boy received emergency medical treatment at the scene by Suffolk Fire & Rescue personnel and was airlifted to a local hospital in stable condition, police said.
Initially, police did not specify his age, referring to him only as a “juvenile male,” but Tuesday afternoon, a police spokesperson confirmed he is 12 years old.
A neighbor and family friend told 10 On Your Side the child was playing basketball outside with her sons when someone fired shots.
“It was a disaster. It was a big mess, uncalled-for incident,” said the neighbor, who asked to not be identified.
She is now afraid because of the violence.
“I don’t want my kids to come outside and play. I don’t feel like it’s safe. It could’ve been them,” she said.
Another woman who lives nearby says she is tired of the violence. Hearing that a 12-year-old is the latest victim makes her want to cry.
“It’s not good,” said Judith Jordan. “I’m going to tell you something, the best thing for these people to do is to leave the guns alone and do the right thing.”
