A 15-year-old girl was killed in a road rage shooting in Oakland, California, the latest victim of the city’s continuous gun violence.
The youngster was travelling with her uncle in Oakland on Wednesday night when her uncle and someone in another car “began to have dialogue,” which led to bickering between the cars, according to Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong at a news conference.
The “innocent 15-year-old” was shot many times by someone in the other car, according to Armstrong.
According to authorities, no arrests have been made.
Shamara Young, the teen, was identified by authorities.
“She loved her family a lot. She loved her little brothers. And she was very protective of them,” Young’s mother told reporters.
“She was an awesome daughter,” she said. “She’d always give hugs and kisses and smother me with attention.”
Oakland has seen 109 killings this year, according to the chief, who spoke at a news conference on Thursday.
“How many times do we have to cry out for help? How many times do we have to say to you that we are in a moment of crisis?” he said. “Our children are in danger.”
Overcome with emotion, the chief said, “The police department has not done enough. The community has not done enough. The leaders of this city have not done enough. Today everybody in this city should be hurt.”
After a long pause, Armstrong continued: “When you have children, you understand. You understand when your kids leave home you expect them to return safe. … Let this be a calling to all of us that we have to do something.”