A 1-year-old boy shot dead in downtown Pittsburgh identified by a medical examiner
PITTSBURGH – A 1-year-old boy was shot dead in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
During a press conference after the shooting, officials said the shooting was a targeted incident. The boy was not the intended target, but he was a passenger in the car. Officials said residents should not feel insecure at this time.
The boy has been identified as DeAery Thomas.
According to a Pittsburgh police statement, the shooting took place around 2:44 p.m.
Officials at the scene said the shooting was a shot and a bullet went straight through the window of a Jeep and hit the boy. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“I don’t think it can ever be said that it can be worse when a baby is killed, or anyone else,” said Cristyn Zett, a Pittsburgh police commander in Zone 6. “We’re actively working across the country to reduce violence in all cases in our cities, and any loss of life is tragic. “
Witness Greg Damjanovic heard six shots.
“My wife and I ran to the window,” Damjanovic said. “We just watched the mother get out of her Jeep crying, ‘They shot my baby, they shot my baby!'”
There is no word on any potential suspect. Officials said investigators located the car, which they believe was driven by the suspect on Sunday.
During the press conference, Mayor Ed Gainey promised to take action.
“I want to show our city that we will do everything we can to make this summer safe, especially for our children,” Gainey said. “These acts of violence will not hold our city hostage. Enough is enough. We will bring all the weight and power of our combined resources to support and ensure that we take the most violent actors out of our streets. “
Stay tuned to Channel 11 as we continue to follow the updates in this story.
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