A holiday afternoon meant for barbecues and family gatherings turned violent in Columbus on Memorial Day, leaving an 18-month-old child in critical condition after a shooting, according to police.
Police response and victims
Officers were called shortly after 3 p.m. Monday to reports of gunfire in the 1500 block of 24th Street North. When they arrived, they found multiple people had been shot, including the toddler and the child's 24-year-old mother.
Columbus Police Chief Joseph Daughtry told The Commercial Dispatch that the 18-month-old suffered a gunshot wound and was being treated in critical condition. The mother had also been shot but was responsive at the scene, he said.
According to Daughtry, two additional bystanders were transported to local hospitals for treatment as officers worked to secure the area.
Investigation and how to help
Police said investigators are following leads and working to identify a person of interest in the case. Detectives are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Tips can be shared by calling the Columbus Police Department at (662) 244-3500 or Golden Triangle Crimestoppers at 1-800-530-7151.
A troubling pattern in recent weeks
The Memorial Day shooting comes on the heels of other recent incidents in Columbus involving children and gunfire. In April, a toddler was injured in a separate shooting and suspects were later arrested, as reported by WLBT.
Local officials say the police department is urging residents to share credible tips with investigators and to avoid spreading unverified information while the latest case remains under investigation.
