CLEVELAND — Police are investigating after a 17-year-old girl was struck in the head by gunfire in Cleveland on Monday night.
According to Cleveland Police, officers were called to E. 71st St. and Dellenbaugh Ave. at approximately 8:56 p.m. Upon arrival, the 17-year-old female victim was being treated by a medic for a gunshot graze to the right side of her head. The girl was transported to University Hospitals, where she is in stable condition.
Police interviewed witnesses, including a resident of E. 71st St. who stated that she was sitting on her front porch when she heard approximately 15 gunshots. The witness said she saw a burgundy four-door sedan with a spare tire on the passenger side that was occupied by four males wearing ski masks drive by multiple times and stop at the corner of E. 71st St. and Zoeter Ave.
The car began shooting at an apartment complex located at E. 71st St. and Wade Park Ave. The victim also said she saw the 17-year-old victim walk in front of her house before laying down and saying she was shot.
Two juvenile witnesses told police that they were walking with the victim when they saw a red Hyundai with four people in masks drive by southbound on E. 71st St. The witnesses said they saw shots come from the apartment complex, as well as the car, with the 17-year-old victim stating that she couldn't see or breathe.
Additionally, police were advised that an RTA bus was struck by one round of gunfire. Another resident stated that her house on Dellenbaugh Ave. was struck eight times.
Monday's shooting took place amid concerns about safety in the city after nine people were injured in a mass shooting that took place early Sunday morning on West 6th Street in downtown Cleveland.
"(It's) Very frustrating, very sad and angry about the level of violence we are seeing in our city," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb told our Russ Mitchell on Monday afternoon. "I know we're better than this as a people. I know we're better than this as a community. We have a lot of work to do to change the culture of guns, not just in Cleveland, but across the state and across the country."
When asked what he would tell residents who are fearing for their safety, Bibb said, "Don't give up hope. Don't give up the fight."
Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? Download the free WKYC app and get updates right on your phone: Android, Apple.