Neighbor: 11-year-old innocent bystander wounded in shooting

ATLANTA — Police are investigating how an 11-year-old boy was shot Wednesday night in southwest Atlanta.

The boy was shot in the shoulder while standing on Coleman Street.

Investigators told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri they believe the incident started around the corner at Arthur and Sims streets with two groups of people shooting at each other. As they walked around the corner, police said a bullet hit that 11-year-old

"I just heard a gunshot. That was it. I heard the little boy screaming, that's what made me come outside," neighbor Carvale Flemings told Viteri, saying he heard about 12-13 shots fired off.

Flemings said he ran next door and saw an 11-year-old boy shot in the shoulder.

"It appears that there were two groups of people that were exchanging gunfire between the groups and that traveled into the 900 block of Coleman Street," Officer John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department said.

Police said the victim's brother carried him into a nearby home and called police.

"I don't think they were targeting him though. He was just an innocent bystander," Flemings said.

Police taped off several sections of the neighborhood as they worked to collect evidence and determine how many people were involved.

"Several people say they may have been on foot or on bicycles. That's something we're still sorting out. Several witnesses have said they may have left on bicycles," Chafee said about the gunmen.

Investigators were working to get a description of the people firing the shots and said they aren't aware of anyone else being hit.

"This is something very concerning to us and we want to get these people off the streets," Chafee said.

"That's everyday life, though. At the same time, can't do nothing but pray for us," Flemings said.

Police said they are talking to witnesses and want to hear from anyone who has information or saw what happened. They can call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

WSBTV