12-year-old boy 'accidentally' shot himself in Northeast DC on Mother's Day
WASHINGTON (7News) — A 12-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in Northeast, D.C. Sunday afternoon, bringing back memories of a young girl who was killed in gun violence last year on Mother's Day.
On May 12, police said that a boy injured himself in the 3600 block of Jay Street in Northeast, D.C. after he accidentally discharged a weapon.
It happened at the Paradise at Parkside Apartments, where 7News spotted a longtime resident packing up and moving out, sick of the sound of gunshots ringing in her ears.
"I feel like I’m in a war. This looks like Iraq, that’s what I feel like," said Olivia Felder. "It echoes, and you’re just not safe nowhere."
After 22 years at the complex, she said she was leaving, tired of the gun violence.
MORE | 'She didn't deserve this'; family suffers heartbreak after 3-year-old killed in SE DC
"I moved into a senior place... I had to," said Felder. "I got tired of diving out of my bed on the concrete floor. It's any time of day... it doesn't matter what time."
Police didn't say how the 12-year-old boy got the weapon, who it belonged to, or if he was alone or supervised.
Sunday's incident brings back the raw emotions of gunfire that rang out last Mother's Day just footsteps away.
10-year-old Arianna Davis was shot and killed, caught in crossfire coming home from a Mother's Day celebration with her family in the same neighborhood.
MORE | 10-year-old girl pronounced dead after being shot in car with family on Sunday: DC Police
"I just feel so sorry for the mom because that's somebody’s baby, and right now I'm about ready to cry because that is somebody’s child, you understand?" said another longtime Northeast resident.
Two suspects were charged in Davis's case with first-degree murder. Both were 19 years old at the time of the arrest.
MORE | Second man charged in Mother's Day SE DC shooting that killed 10-year-old girl, police say
For Felder, the youth violence has reached a breaking point.
"It’s terrible... It’s beyond terrible. That’s what I keep saying, and I just pray every day I go and come, but [inaudible] it’s going to happen in my own house because the kids done take over. The teenagers took over," Felder said.
The boy was taken to a local hospital and is conscious, police said.
7News asked MPD officials the following questions:
- Where did the boy get the gun?
- Who does the weapon belong to?
- Were the boy's parents or guardians with him? Was he alone?
- Did the investigation reveal why he had the gun in his hands in the first place? Was there an argument or escalation underway?
This is a developing story. Stay with 7News for the latest updates.