Baltimore police search for "cowards" who shot 7 people, including 3-year-old boy

Seven people, including a 3-year-old boy, were shot in the Douglass Homes neighborhood of East Baltimore Wednesday night, according to police.

Officers were called to the 1400 block of East Fayette Street around 9 p.m. A police officer who was patrolling the area heard gunshots and turned a corner to find several people suffering from gunshot wounds, including the child.

Baltimore police said there have been no arrests and there's no word yet on a motive. 

On Thursday, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) provided an update on the incident. A statement said the ages of the victims shot were 3, 16, 18, 20, 20, 21 and 43. 

Police initially provided conflicting information about the child's age and gender, first identifying the child as a 3-year-old boy, then as a 4-year-old girl, before later confirming the child was a 3-year-old boy. 

Police said arriving officers put the boy in a patrol car and rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. He is currently listed in serious but stable condition.

The remaining six victims were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, the police statement said.   

"Every single soul in Baltimore should be asking if they know anything about the cowards who shot these seven people," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "There is no way you can reclaim humanity after doing that."

"I have no idea what these cowards were thinking. It was a group of people, they opened fire indiscriminately. They had no idea who they were shooting at," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley.

"If this is your son, drag his a-- by his hair, down to the police department and turn him in," the mayor said.

In response to the shooting, Baltimore Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a $7,000 reward for anonymous tips on the shooting that lead to an arrest and felony charges in the case. 

Also, the Texas-based Youth Peace & Justice Foundation (YPJF) offered victim assistance and up to a $5,000 reward for information that directly assists law enforcement in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the shooting.

The organization, which is also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, was founded following the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas that killed 21 people. 

In a statement issued on Thursday, the foundation said it was "heartbreaking" to hear that children were among the victims of the shooting. 

"Families should not have to face the medical, emotional and financial consequences of violence alone. We want victims and their families to know that we're here, and that help is available," said Daniel "Bodhi" Chapin, Founder and President of the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation.  

"Depending on individual circumstances and available resources, YPJF assistance may include direct financial assistance for qualifying emergency expenses, medical and transportation needs, crisis intervention, trauma-informed support, advocacy and referrals to other community resources," the statement said.