DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit police say an 8-year-old girl was shot and killed early Tuesday.
Police say on Tuesday around 11:50 a.m., officers responded to the 8800 block of Heyden for a shooting investigation.
According to police, an 8-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and shoulder and died. She was reportedly transported to a local firehouse before arriving at the hospital.
"She was a good kid, and she just kept trying to breathe," a neighbor who tried to help told 7 Action News.
Another neighbor said, "We tried to help her, but it didn't work out. I just hate that because it's a tragedy for kids... for that to happen to children every day."
Detroit Police Chief James White said during a press conference that the investigation is preliminary but that they believe no adults were in the home at the time of the incident.
A 10-year-old was found inside the home and was uninjured but is undergoing a medical evaluation.
“Absolutely sad and tragic and should not have happened,” said DPD Chief James White.
"I've got kids that should be in school. So, it shouldn't have happened. The gun shouldn't have been left there. They shouldn't even be there to have the gun left there. They should be in class. But unfortunately, I have an 8-year-old now that's deceased," the chief said.
Raeshonda Marshall, who was one of many to call 911, said, "I went inside and while we were inside, we heard a bunch of kids hollering and screaming so loud that we knew it was not playful."
Marshall's cousin went across the street to help. He tried to help 8-year-old Asianey Graham as she was bleeding out on the porch.
We’re told the mother arrived home shortly after the incident. It is unclear at this time how the child was shot or what led up to the incident.
Neighbors put a bucket of flowers out for the 8-year-old. Her death brings the number of kids killed in Detroit this year up to 12.
"I really think parents should put locks on the guns," said Dejuan Harris, who moved out of the neighborhood about six months ago.
He says he's talked with Asianey several times. He described her as "very nice" and "well-spoken."
"This is the second time this year that I've witnessed the death of a child — it is very traumatic," Marshall said.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
