MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 9-year-old girl is in the hospital Tuesday after being caught in the crossfire of a domestic dispute while riding in the car with her mother, Memphis Police say.
Around 2 p.m., officers were flagged down at the intersection of Poplar Avenue and East Parkway North, where they found the girl with an apparent gunshot wound.
The child was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in non-critical condition.
We watched as the child’s mother talked to investigators on the scene. Police say it’s believed that her boyfriend fired into her car while three of her children were with her.
The suspect then left the scene in a blue Hyundai Sonata in an unknown direction.
Children caught in the crossfire of Memphis gun violence is a sad but common sight at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where Dr. Nick Watkins works in the emergency room.
“Not only as a healthcare provider but as a resident of the city of Memphis and community member, it’s heartbreaking to see this. It’s devastating, not only for the families directly involved but for everyone around them,” Watkins said.
An emergency room doctor at Le Bonheur says there has been a record number of child gunshot victims treated at the hospital this year.
Over the weekend, a 7-month-old baby was shot after a stray bullet flew into her Highland Heights home. Her injuries required brain surgery.
“We’re all mourning these injuries and deaths that we see,” Watkins said.
According to data from Le Bonheur, the hospital has treated 160 gunshot patients this year, surpassing last year’s total of 150.
Watkins said most of the gunshot patients are older children and that the hospital is working with policymakers and grassroots organizations to get to the root of the problem.
“We are seeing an increase in the amount of young children even infants who are affected by either unsecured firearms in the home or family member’s homes or bystanders in domestic disputes,” Watkins said.
Police haven’t said what charges the suspect could face.
The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.