BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Family members of an 11-year-old boy shot multiple times in west Baltimore are pleading for the public’s help, saying they believe someone has information that could lead to an arrest.
Tristen Goode-Jordan remained hospitalized at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Thursday, where his family gathered to wait for his recovery. His grandmother, Michele Goode, said doctors discovered he had been shot seven times.
“In the abdomen, his kidney punctured, his lungs punctured. He got shot in the spine. And in his foot it’s a bullet still lodged his foot and in his spine,” Goode said.
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The shooting happened on Dolphin Street near Pennsylvania Avenue just before 8 p.m. Wednesday. Police said gunfire erupted during a drive-by shooting while Tristen was playing on a playground at his school.
Bullets also struck a 26-year-old man, and investigators believe the man was the intended target. Both the man and Tristen were hospitalized with injuries.
“(Tristen) was where he was supposed to be. It wasn’t like he was somewhere where he wasn’t supposed to be. He was on a playground at his school,” Goode said.
So, he didn’t deserve this, my baby didn’t deserve this. He’s a good kind of child. He’s a fun loving child.”
Veronica Morgan, another one of Tristen’s grandmothers, said she was devastated by the news.
“I was just so angry because I had just dropped him off from the weekend from being with me for Memorial Day. And then to hear that he got shot Wednesday,” Morgan said while shaking her head in disbelief.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley and Mayor Brandon Scott responded to the scene Wednesday and condemned the shooting and was obviously frustrated over what happened.
“What we have here is another case of weak ass men who cannot resolve their petty conflict without gun violence,” Scott said.
“You got two cowards pull up in a vehicle they want to shoot somebody for some reason or other,” Worley said.
At the hospital, Goode echoed that anger. She also called the suspects cowards.
“Because it was a playground. Kids was playing. My grandson, 11-years-old, innocent bystander he got shot seven times. It’s sad, sad, just sad,” she said.
Tristen was supposed to be graduating from fifth grade next week at Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy, but his family said he remains in stable condition in the hospital and could undergo more surgery.
Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
Tips can be provided anonymously through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
Follow FOX45 reporter Keith Daniels on X and Facebook. Send tips to Kdaniels@sbgtv.com.
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