Death of 3-Year-Old in Waverly Spurs Call to Action

Police, community members and elected officials came together Saturday in Waverly, where a toddler was killed in a drive-by shooting Friday afternoon.

Three-year-old Mckenzie Elliott died before 7 p.m. Friday at an area hospital, police said.

She was one of three people injured in a shooting Friday afternoon in the 3600 block of York Road, according to Baltimore police.

Before 4 p.m. on Friday, a vehicle drove up to the intersection, where shots were fired at a person standing on the street corner, WJZ reported.

A stray bullet hit Elliott, who was on a porch up the street, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Police said a 21-year-old woman was also hit, and she and Elliott were taken to nearby hospitals.

According to WJZ, police have identified at least one person of interest. The 22-year-old man showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound soon after the incident, according to WBAL.

Police have also recovered a vehicle in connection with the shootings, The Baltimore Sun reported.

On Saturday, officials held a press conference to address the issue of the shootings and try to get information about those responsible.

“There’s no way in the world that a three-year-old child should die in the streets of Baltimore and we remain silent,” Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. “We have to bring the people who are responsible for this to justice.”

Police implored the community for help. “We will solve this crime; we will solve it soon,” said Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez of the Baltimore Police Department, in a video broadcast by Fox 45. He stated that it was “heartbreaking” to have lost a 3-year-old, but said he realized the pain and outrage others felt paled in comparison to what her family must feel.

“I can’t get over this,” her mother told WJZ.

“She was an angel in everybody’s lives,” her father told WBAL. “She was our angel.” He urged the suspect(s) to come forward in exchange for taking his daughter’s life.

Anyone with information may contact Metro Crime Stoppers. Call 866-7 LOCKUP; text CRIMES (274637) with ”MCS” plus the message; or send a tip online. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Photo Credit: WBAL/YouTube