8-year-old shot and killed while playing in her backyard in Ohio, suspect on the loose
(WJW/CNN/Meredith) – Police in Akron, Ohio are investigating a shooting that left an 8-year-old girl dead Friday night.
Police said there was a large gathering of teens outside the child’s home before the shooting started.
That’s when 8-year-old Mikayla Pickett, who was in her backyard, was shot in the back. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died.
Lt. Michael Miller with the Akron Police Department said they have seen an uptick in violent crimes involving children.
“You’re at a loss for words when people like that are impacted, families of victims that young are impacted,” Miller said.
Mikayla’s death is the 31st homicide that Akron police have seen this year. Six of those were deaths of children under the age of 19.
Police are hoping someone will come forward with information about the shooting. No suspects have been identified.
Photo Credit: kmov.com