WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A 6-year-old girl in Winston-Salem was shot Tuesday while playing at a playground.
Investigators said the shooting happened around 5 p.m.
Police were called near Peace Court and Hope Lane.
Detectives said the girl suffered from a single gunshot wound to her upper torso.
Officers found several spent shell casings in the parking lot near where the shooting happened on Hope Lane.
Investigations show several male suspects were shooting at each other near the playground and the girl was hit while playing.
Police said the suspects were last seen driving away in a dark gray Ford Escape, and a Black Honda with damage to the driver’s side door.
Investigators describe them as four male suspects between the ages of 15 and 20.
Detectives said the girl was most likely not the intended target of the shooting. The girl was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
News 2 spoke with the little girl's grandmother who was devastated by the incident.
"My daughter, my grandchildren now they don’t like to come outside and they’re saying all this stuff in their head. They don’t want to go to the playground," said Sandra Allen.
Allen said she is thankful her granddaughter is alive and well.
"She's up, she got up this morning she is walking and she’s being a little child and being herself. But I think we are going to give her counseling. We think she and my grandson need counseling," said Allen.
News 2 also spoke with the city's assistant city manager who said they are continuing to work on ways to reduce youth crime.
They've hired a youth prevention manager to re-engage youth at recreation centers. They also have invested in cure violence programs by partnering with the public health department.
"We want to train individuals from the community trusted individuals who have some experience that can actually make a difference. This is not a law enforcement program but it uses community to be able to talk and engage and to be able to stop crime before it happens," said Patrice Toney.
Toney said The city has invested over $1.35 million to date in crime prevention activities and programs.
If you have any information about the shooting, call Crime Stoppers at (336) 727-2800.
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