Newark Child, 5, Shot On July 4th While Walking With Dad: Police

NEWARK, NJ — A 5-year-old girl was struck by a bullet as she was walking with her father on the evening of July 4th in Newark in an incident that local authorities called a “cowardly act.”

The child and her father were walking on the 200-block of Avon Avenue around 11:30 p.m. when a bullet struck her, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety. Emergency responders transported the wounded child to University Hospital. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

No further information was immediately available about the child’s condition or the shooting, authorities said Thursday.

“Police are pursuing all leads and anyone with information is encouraged to contact us regarding this cowardly act,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose Ambrose said.

Anyone with information can contact the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at: www.newarkpdonline.org or through its smartphone app available at iTunes and Google Play.

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