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‘Too many guns. That’s the main problem’: People react to shooting of 11-year-old at skating rink

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — An 11-year-old boy remains in critical condition at a metro Atlanta hospital after someone shot him early Sunday morning, and police are searching for the person who did it.

DeKalb police were called to the Golden Glides roller skating rink on Wesley Chapel Road just before 1 a.m. When they got to the scene, they found 11-year-old Amari Johnson on the ground outside the doors, suffering from a gunshot wound.

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People at a shopping center less than a block away from the roller rink gave their reactions to Channel 2′s Tom Regan.

“My son is 12, so you can imagine how I feel. I’m very sad to hear what happened,” said one parent, who wished to remain anonymous.

Police have not released any information on possible circumstances that lead to the shooting, including whether the child was targeted or hit by a stray bullet.

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Last year in metro Atlanta, 25 children and teenagers were killed by guns.

So far this year, 14 young people in that group have been either killed or wounded by gun violence.

People who live near the roller rink say it’s terribly upsetting.

“Too many guns. That’s the main problem here. And lack of parental supervision,” said Charles Anderson.

DeKalb police have not yet released he name of the victim. Regan attempted to get a comment on the shooting from Golden Glides management, but the rink was closed Monday.

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