Child did not immediately realize he had been hit by gunfire
NEWARK -- The Major Crimes Unit of the Newark Police Department is investigating after a bullet ripped through the wall of an apartment, striking a young boy, spokesman Sgt. Ron Glover said.
Police were sent to Beth Israel Hospital shortly before midnight Tuesday, where they spoke with the 13-year-old's mother. She told police her son was at their home in the 10s block of Wolcott Terrace when he woke her up complaining that he could not move his arm. When the woman checked, she found a bullet hole in his shoulder.
The boy said he was doing homework at his desk when he heard a loud boom. The boy did not realize he had been shot but alerted his mother when he began to feel pain.
Officers subsequently discovered a bullet hole in a wall of the apartment adjacent to an outer hallway, Glover said. A suspect had not been identified as of early Wednesday night.
Newark Police Director Eugene Venable urges anyone with information regarding this crime to call the department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or 877-NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook
