Crime & Safety

Boy, 5, Shot, Injured While Riding Bike Outside His Home: Police

Investigators believe the shooter was firing randomly, adding there was no altercation before the shooting.

DETROIT — A 5-year-old boy was shot and injured while riding his bike Tuesday night in Detroit, according to police.

The shooting happened at 8:50 p.m. near the Fargo-Oakfield Playground in the area of Lindsay Street and Trojan Avenue, according to police.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told reporters the boy was riding his bike outside his home with his father's supervision when the shots rang out.

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The father told police he heard roughly three shots and then saw his son fall off his bike and onto the ground, Bettison said.

The boy was taken to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm and is expected to be ok, Bettison said.

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Bettison said police are searching for a person of interest, who they believe is a minor around the age of 15 or 16. He said the shooter was wearing a mask at the time and is well-known in the area.

Investigators believe the shooter was firing randomly, adding there was no altercation before the shooting.

"Just to parents and everyone: know where your kids are," Bettison said. "Juveniles should not have guns. And whether you're an adult or a child, you should not be firing a weapon inside of the city limits because what goes up, comes down. We talk about it all the time and we're definitely going to hold the individual accountable."

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