A 10-year-old girl was shot and killed in what investigators say was a drive-by shooting in Vineland, New Jersey.
The shooting happened around 11:15 p.m. at a home on the 700 block of West Earl Drive.
Family members say the girl was visiting her grandmother’s house to celebrate Independence Day when shots were fired.
“I was woken up out of a dead sleep with all the noise and commotion, and that’s when the detective told me the girl was shot and unfortunately she passed away at the hospital,” said neighbor John Ventura.
Police are still trying to find out exactly who the intended target of the shooting was.
The victim’s mother described the child as an innocent little girl who was good in school and loved nature.
“We are nice and quiet, and when we hear something like that happened, it does make a big concern,” said neighbor Alfredo Ruiz.
While the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office says the shooter was in a vehicle, no description of that vehicle has been released.
“I guess something like this can happen anywhere really,” said Ventura. “Unfortunately it happened here, and unfortunately that little girl’s life is gone.”
Police again are asking for surveillance video from the surrounding neighborhood: W. Earl Drive, E. Earl Drive, Earl Drive (and Park Towne Apartments), Diane Court, Mary Court and Shirley Court (within the area of S. West Avenue and W. Chestnut Avenue).
Residents are being asked to check the video from their home cameras between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Any tips to be shared with investigators anonymously at 609-579-1431.
