Two teenagers shot during fight just steps away from officers at Inner Harbor, say police

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Two juveniles were shot in Baltimore on Sunday night a short distance away from dozens of officers trying to break up a fight at the Inner Harbor, according to the Baltimore Police Department.

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Police said the shooting happened around 9:15 p.m. in 400 block of East Pratt Street.

Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said the officers were in a crowd of about 200 "young people" making an arrest when gunfire rang out. Harrison said the shooting happened within 50 feet of police officers.

Police said they found a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, both suffering gunshot wounds. One was hit in the leg, and the other was shot in the back. Harrison did not specify which teen suffered which injury.

Both victims were taken to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries, police said. One is in critical condition, and the other is in stable condition.

Police said officers were able to track one suspect on a dirt bike into police headquarters' garage and arrest him without incident.

That suspect was found with a loaded handgun, police said. It is currently unknown if he was involved in the shooting.

At the same time, other officers were able to track another suspect to Light and Lombard Streets, Harrison said, and arrested him without incident.

Police said the second suspect was found with a loaded ghost gun. He is believed to be a person of interest in this shooting and matches the description of witnesses, according to Harrison.

Harrison said this shooting speaks to the ease of access young people have to firearms and that some would use them indiscriminately.

"Either they don't care about consequences or don't believe the consequences, and they have no respect for human life or the sanctity of life or authority to pull off that brazen cowardly act right there in the presence of police officers," said Harrison.

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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said that the city would do everything in its power to protect the lives of young people. He said he was going to put a sense of accountability on families.

"I want everyone to hear me and hear me very clearly. We are going back to the old days. We will be enforcing the use of youth curfew in Baltimore as we move into the later Spring and Summer months," Mayor Scott said.

Scott reminded parents about the curfew during the news conference; that children under 14 must be off the streets at 9 p.m. unless they are with parents. The mayor said children up to 17 must be off the streets by 10 p.m.

"I have personally seen, with my own eyes, five and six-year-old children be brought in, walking the streets at 1 a.m.," said Scott. "12, 13, 14-year-olds come in and say 'I got picked up on purpose so I could eat' or get some clothes."

Scott said that summer camps and Rec and Parks programs would continue in an attempt to continue to provide services for young people.