Young Children Gunned Down While Playing Outside in Random Attack

A random Monday night attack in Maryland sent two children, who were playing outside at the time, to hospital, according to police.

Police responded to the 1300 block of Tyler Avenue in Annapolis at around 7:10 p.m. to find two children with gunshot wounds.

The two children were then transported to hospitals. One victim was taken to Shock Trauma, and the other to The Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

Annapolis Chief of Police Edward Jackson said it is unclear what condition the children are in at this stage.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, he said that a suspect emerged from a wooded area and fired shots indiscriminately, hitting the two young people. He also said the two children were outside playing when they were shot by the suspect about 100 yards away.

Jackson admitted the investigation was frustrating as authorities attempted to discover more information about the suspect and the motive.

"We immediately converged on the area, it is a very active and fluid investigation," he said.

"Detectives are working as we speak to look at any closed-circuit television footage. We are canvassing the neighborhood to try and locate potential witnesses.

"We don't have a motive so far, this is all just very frustrating. We are asking for the community's help as always."

The mayor of Annapolis, Gavin Buckley, was also on the scene of the crime and spoke to reporters about the importance of community cooperation in helping solve crimes.

"These families are traumatized, the kids are going to be traumatized forever for what has happened to them today," Mayor Buckley said.

He continued: "People think you can just solve crimes with cameras, it takes the community. It takes a village to turn this thing around.

"We believe we have caught all the trigger-pullers from last year because the community came forward and helped [police].

"We are going to say, when is enough, enough. We are all here to get this fixed and get this solved.

"These guys will work through the night, they will get the evidence that we need to put these people away.

"But when you are killing our children, when is enough, enough."

Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles, who stood alongside the mayor and chief of police, said violence was not needed in this community.

"Our community is a good community, we do not need unnecessary violence in our community," she told reporters.

"As you have heard from the chief as well as the mayor, we are here to make sure those that come into a community are held accountable for what they do."

The police have also asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and contact the police by calling 410-260-3439.

Newsweek has contacted the Annapolis Police Department for comment.