A quiet evening outside the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis was shattered by an eruption of gunfire, leaving a 12-year-old girl fighting for her life with a catastrophic head wound.
The community is in a state of shock and anguish following the senseless attack, which occurred just after 7:30 PM on Sunday as church services were concluding. The young victim, whose identity remains protected, was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of a violent altercation.
A Community Rallying For Recovery
According to local authorities, the girl was not the intended target of the shooting. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where her family maintains a heartbreaking vigil. In a recent update, her condition has been described as stable but she faces a long and difficult road to recovery.
Police have confirmed the shooting resulted from a dispute between two individuals in the church car park. The alleged shooter, identified as 39-year-old Ricky Cobb III, fled the scene immediately after the incident and remains at large. A manhunt is underway.
Outpouring of Support and Grief
The tragedy has sent waves of grief through the local area. Pastor McLauren of the New Salem church expressed the congregation's profound sorrow, stating, "Our hearts are broken for this young life, for her family, and for our community. We are praying without ceasing for her healing and for justice to be served."
A makeshift memorial of flowers and teddy bears has grown outside the church, a testament to the impact of the event. Community leaders are calling for an end to the cycle of violence that continues to claim young, innocent victims.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in apprehending the suspect and bringing solace to a traumatised community.
