A 3-year-old girl's life was tragically cut short Friday night after being shot in Southeast Washington, D.C., marking a horrific addition to the city's instances of gun violence. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the incident occurred in the Garfield Heights neighborhood. Reports from DC News Now state that police responded to 24th and Irving streets, where the young child was shot.

According to a Washington Post report, the girl was in a car around 9 PM when she was hit by a stray bullet fired on Hartford Street SE. After the shooting, the family rushed her to a nearby fire station, from which Park Police medevaced her to Children's Hospital, as detailed by authorities. Initially described as being in "grave condition," her plight deepened concerns regarding the safety of the city's most vulnerable residents.

The gravity of the situation reached its zenith when the young girl succumbed to her injuries. As per NBC Washington, homicide detectives are now investigating the case, although a motive and suspect remain elusive. Police believe the vehicle the child was in may have gotten caught in the crossfire, placing an innocent life in the crosshairs of violence it had no part in.

D.C. police have yet to release further details as they continue to scour for evidence and leads.