Update: Police Release Photos of Suspects, Seek Your Help

 

This Article Originally Appeared on WUSA9.com on June 18th

 

A 9-year-old girl was grazed by a bullet Thursday evening during a shooting in a Woodbridge apartment community, according to the Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD).

PWCPD said officers responded to the Riverwood Apartments in Woodbridge at 6:15 p.m. Thursday to investigate shots fired. Police said two groups of people near a shed and a playground fired at one another before dispersing and multiple shell casings were found in the area.

One of the rounds entered a nearby residence, grazing the girl. Police said she was treated for minor injuries.

According to the young girl’s family, she and her brother were in their bedroom when they heard a loud noise and saw a hole in the wall.

“I saw the hole and then I felt something on my leg and then I saw the smoke and I ran to my mom,” the 9-year-old said.

She said she felt a burn from the bullet for only a second. She had a small mark Friday from the incident.

The young girl’s father wasn’t home at the time and said his heart sank when he got the call about what happened.

“My heart just sinks and I work all the way in Alexandria having to drive from over there to here with traffic, it was a long ride home,” the father who requested to remain anonymous said.

He said following Thursday’s shooting the family is looking to move.

“My kid doesn’t want to sleep over there for now,” the father said. “You feel like you don’t have trust anymore.”

Police said a tree and unoccupied parked car also had damage consistent with being hit by projectiles.

No other injuries or damage were reported.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’9”, 175lbs. Last seen wearing a white muscle-style shirt, dark colored jeans, and carrying a firearm.

Please call the Prince William County Police Eastern Station at (703) 792-6500 with tips.

UPDATE: According to Patch.com residents in the area told police that they heard gunshots before two groups of people left the area on foot and in cars, according to authorities.

Now, detectives are looking to identify five people who they believe were involved in the shooting. In their Facebook post, the police department also included a photo of a car that may have been used to help some people flee the scene.

In the comments of the police department’s Facebook post, residents expressed their concerns and hopes. “Enough is enough,” one commenter wrote.

“We play there,” another resident wrote. “Stop going to playgrounds with guns!”