DETROIT – An 8-year-old boy was shot in the head when some “cowardly” drive-by shooters fired into a Detroit home with eight children inside, the police chief said.
The shooting happened around 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in the 16500 block of Fairmount Drive, which is near the intersection of 8 Mile and Kelly roads on the city’s east side.
Detroit police Chief James White said the shooting stems from a dispute involving an adult who lives at the home. At least six shots struck the building.
There were 11 people inside, including eight children.
“Extremely cowardice act to shoot into a home with that many children inside,” White said. “We think this has to do with some kind of conflict one of the adults in the home was having with someone in the community, or nearby.”
An 8-year-old boy was struck in the head by a bullet while he slept in the front room of the home, White said.
The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is stable. The bullet is still lodged in his head, so he might need surgery, according to the chief.
“These kids have absolutely nothing to do with adult conflict,” White said. “Kid’s sleeping and was shot in his home, where he should be safe. I don’t know how that’s tough. I don’t know how that makes sense to anybody who calls themself an adult.”
The shooters fled in a vehicle. Police said they’re going to review video from the area to determine the make, model, and color of the car.
“We know, at this point, we’re looking for more than one shooter, possibly two, possible males, but again, that’s subject to change,” White said.
Police are investigating whether this shooting was gang-related, but White said they’re confident it has to do with the aforementioned conflict between adults.
“It’s just a cowardly act,” White said. “It’s cowardly. That’s just where we’re at, and it just doesn’t make sense for any adult to do something like that.”
Click here to visit the fundraiser for the family.
You can listen to White’s full comments in the video below.
