An 11-year-old boy was shot and killed by a 14-year-old girl at a Dallas apartment complex on Sunday, according to authorities.
Police responded to a shooting call at the Oak Cliff apartment complex. A preliminary investigation found the girl pulled out a handgun while in a fight with another female juvenile, Dallas police spokesperson Sgt. Warren Mitchell said in a news conference.
Though the girl fired the gun in the direction of the other girl, the shot ended up striking the young boy who was a bystander, Mitchell said.
The boy was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, Mitchell said.
The suspect ran into a nearby apartment complex and was later taken into custody by police.
Police did not suspect the “horrible incident” to be gang-related, Mitchell said.
“It appears to be a beef between two juveniles that led to a deadly outcome,” Mitchell added.
The suspect is being held in the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center.
The weapon was recovered over the course of an ongoing investigation, police said.
“I find it hard and disheartening. This senseless violence, especially with the young people,” Cassie Sheffield, a resident with the organization “No More Violence,” told WFAA. She added: “How are these young people getting a hold of so many weapons? … I pray for more help in the community.”