In a grim turn of events, two 13-year-old boys were shot outside a convenience store in a neighborhood dispute, marking yet another incidence of gun violence shaking the local community. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the shooting took place at 1421 22nd Ave. S, with the suspect reported to have fled the scene in a white 4-door sedan.
The youths were quickly transported to John Hopkins All Children's Hospital; one of the boys is currently in critical but stable condition, and the other is stable, detectives believe the boys were specifically targeted due to ongoing neighborhood disputes and are now appealing to the public for any information that may assist in apprehending the suspect, calling for anyone with information to call 727-893-7780 or to anonymously text 'SPPD + your tip' to TIP411, as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this latest tragic occurrence.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, feelings of shock and distress permeate, with residents and local leaders decrying the senseless violence that has led to these young teens being hospitalized; no further details about the identities of the victims or the nature of the neighborhood dispute have been disclosed by the authorities at this stage.