Gang Violence Claims Another Young Life

By, Crystal S. Kauffman, Contributing Writer

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Jan. 30, 2016/Jacksonville, FL– A 22-month-old toddler was killed after becoming a victim of a possible gang related drive by shooting on Friday night. According to Action News Jax (2016), the toddler has been identified as Aiden Michael McClendon and he was sitting in a car with his mother and his grandmother at a home on Spearing St., which is on the Eastside of Jacksonville, FL. Suddenly, without any warning, bullets began spraying the car and the house.

As the first responders reached the scene, the toddler was still alive, despite being shot once in the shoulder and twice in the stomach area. According FCN (2016), baby Aiden McClendon was the only person who was shot in this drive by shooting. The toddler was rushed to UF Health, where he immediately underwent life saving surgery. Unfortunately, the police announced to the public on Saturday that the adorable toddler died due to his injuries.

This senseless, yet violent tragedy has the family and police asking the entire First Coast Community to turn in the suspect or suspects. According to Action News Jax (2016), the city leaders have agreed to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons that who killed this innocent little toddler. No one else was hurt in the drive by shooting, although the house and car were struck by a barrage of bullets.

This innocent baby lost his life, due to the senseless violence and the police has vowed that they are not going to rest until they have the person or persons that are responsible for this toddler’s murder. According the FCN (2016), Chief Tom Hackney said, “Turn these people in, they do not deserve to be walking the same streets that you and I walk.”

The police believe that someone is the house was the actual target of this gang related shooting, but instead this toddler became the victim. According to Action News Jax (2016), police say some witnesses have about a white car that sped away from the scene. However, there is no clear description of the suspected shooter or shooters or the car that they used. Some witnesses stated that a white car may be involved, but police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

References:

Action News Jax (2016) City Leaders Vow to find the Shooter of the 22-month-old killed in drive-by
Retrieved from the World Wide Web on January 30, 2016
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/city-leaders-vow-to-find-shooter-of-22-month-old-killed-in-drive-by/50440672

Action News Jax (2016) Jacksonville Toddler Dies After Friday Shooting
Retrieved from the World Wide Web on January 30, 2016
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/baby-dies-after-friday-shooting/50235274

FCN (2016) JSO: A 22-month-old Caught in the Middle of Gang Related Shooting Dies
Retrieved from the World Wide Web on January 30, 2016
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/crime/toddler-dies-in-shooting-near-sports-complex/25145455

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