Shooting near Baltimore youth football event leaves 12-year-old girl dead, 3 adults wounded
12‑Year‑Old Girl Killed, Three Adults Injured in Gunfire at Baltimore Youth Football Game
Baltimore, Md. — A tragic shooting on Saturday night near a youth football home‑coming at Leon Day Park left a 12‑year‑old girl dead and three adults wounded. Police say the violence stemmed from a dispute over a parking spot that turned into a deadly exchange between two men.
The incident unfolded on the 1200 block of North Franklin Town Road around 6:15 p.m., when officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire. At the scene, they discovered a 25‑year‑old woman with a gunshot wound and the 12‑year‑old girl, who was later transported to a hospital but died from her injuries.
Two other men – a 28‑year‑old and a 23‑year‑old – were also shot and taken to the same hospitals. All three surviving victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the gunmen had been arguing over a parking space before the shooting began. “What we know is that there was some type of argument between two cowards, and of course, they both opened fire on each other,” he told reporters. He added that “in the crossfire, a 12‑year‑old little girl who was probably down there watching football was shot and killed.”
The city’s homicide detectives are still searching for the two suspects, who are described as adult men. No arrests have been made as of late Saturday night, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at 410‑396‑2100 or the Metro Crime Stoppers hotline at 1‑866‑7LOCKUP. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott condemned the shooting in a tearful statement. “Two grown men got into an argument and now a 12‑year‑old is gone,” he said. He called the incident “one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in my life” and warned that the community would feel the loss for years to come. “We’re never gonna see her full potential,” Scott said. “Her family is gonna be hurting for this for the rest of their life. Her classmates are going to be hurting, her community's going to be hurting.”
The shooting took place during a youth football league’s home‑coming event, an activity that has historically drawn families and community members to the park for the day. The sudden violence has left local residents in shock and raised concerns about safety at community gatherings.
Baltimore officials have pledged to investigate the circumstances that led to the confrontation and to take steps to prevent similar incidents. Meanwhile, the city’s emergency services and local community groups are rallying to support the family of the deceased and the survivors of the shooting.
The incident is still developing, and additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
