Watch CBS News

9-Year-Old Girl Injured In Newark Shooting

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A young child is recovering at the hospital after being shot while inside her home in Newark.

Investigators believe the person who pulled the trigger may have been targeting the victim's teenage sister.

"When I went in my kitchen, I heard pow, pow, pow," one neighbor said.

After hearing those gunshots, she walked out of her home near Holiday Court and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard only to find out those bullets that went flying hit a 9-year-old girl.

UPDATE: Man, Teenage Girl Arrested In Connection To Newark Shooting That Injured 9-Year-Old

"I see all these cops and everything. The lady was hollering and screaming, 'My baby, oh my god,'" the neighbor said.

Police say the girl was shot in the leg and foot.

"It appears that there was a dispute earlier in the day between her older sister, who is 15, and another 16-year-old female, and apparently that 16-year-old female came to the residence after the fight with at least one other person, and then the shooting occurred inside of the residence," said Brian O'Hara, Newark public safety director.

After investigators collected evidence, some family members were at the scene.

CBS2's Cory James spoke with a woman who did not want to be identified but says she is the victim's cousin.

"She's in the hospital right now. They're taking care of her. We actually spoke to her on the phone, so she's doing OK," she said. "She's a strong little girl. I'm just glad she's doing OK."

The shooting hit home for people in the community.

"I'm a father of a 9-year-old," O'Hara said.

"It's sad, a 9-year-old. It's sad," a neighbor said.

Police say the young girl's mother is with her at the hospital. She is expected to recover.

Right now, one person has been detained and another person is being investigated, but so far, no arrests.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.