Authorities are looking for this man. He is accused of shooting a 2 year old girl in the head in an attempt to retaliate against her father. There is a huge need for our young people to learn conflict resolution. It is not even summer yet and I've already heard of numerous incidents where children are unintentionally or intentionally targeted. And this in Detroit alone.
Sadly, incidents such this are too frequent within our community. Interestingly, yet not surprisingly such incidents rarely make national news. Had this been a white child, it would be national news. My instinct wants to cry racism but with the rate at which this happens in our community it has become normalized. Even more sadly, it has become normalized by our people. I hate to use incidents such as this to make social or political arguments. I felt obliged because I am sick of our children suffering and us sitting idly by while our community slides further and further into social decadence.
I will let you guys read the story but I hope it serves as a reminder as to why black America is in desperate need of a cultural shift/awakening. I HATE that we live in a country where the murder of our children is normalized and the very ones who should be protecting them turn a blind eye.
Police say the 2-year-old girl was shot in the 16400 block of Fairmount Wednesday night just after 8 p.m.
The area is near the intersection of 8 Mile and Kelly Rd. on Detroit's east side.
2-year-old shot in the head on Detroit's east side
The little girl was sitting in the car with her father outside of the house when her dad and the suspect got into a fight. The suspect walked away and came back with a gun and shot up the girl.
The girl was hit with a bullet in the head. The suspect's target, her father, was uninjured.
Police said the suspect is 30-year-old Cleveland Smelley. He's described as 5'10", 220 lbs, wearing all gray. It's believed a black Chevrolet Tahoe was involved in the shooting.
"We can't police stupid. It's not against the law to be stupid. When you pull out a gun and there's kids in the area, common sense should tell you not to do it," Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt said.
"Rather than arguing about it, one of the individuals was given a gun. He shot at the father, missed the father. A bullet entered the car, hit the girl in the head," Dolunt said.
Police arrested one man on the scene and they said he was the man who brought Smelley the gun. But they want the man who pulled the trigger in custody as soon as possible and they say Smelley is a dangerous man.
"He's been through system and is on parole for similar offense," Dolunt said. "We don't want anyone else getting hurt - officers or him. We prefer he turns himself in or his family gives him up. We don't want anybody else hurt."
Police have arrested a second suspect related to the fight that led up to the shooting.
The 30-year-old man is out on parole and has served time for assault with a dangerous weapon, felony firearms, and assault with intent to commit bodily harm.
The young girl is listed in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
Edit: Police had originally said the little girl was 3 but advised late Wednesday that the girl is 2.
Sadly, incidents such this are too frequent within our community. Interestingly, yet not surprisingly such incidents rarely make national news. Had this been a white child, it would be national news. My instinct wants to cry racism but with the rate at which this happens in our community it has become normalized. Even more sadly, it has become normalized by our people. I hate to use incidents such as this to make social or political arguments. I felt obliged because I am sick of our children suffering and us sitting idly by while our community slides further and further into social decadence.
I will let you guys read the story but I hope it serves as a reminder as to why black America is in desperate need of a cultural shift/awakening. I HATE that we live in a country where the murder of our children is normalized and the very ones who should be protecting them turn a blind eye.
Police say the 2-year-old girl was shot in the 16400 block of Fairmount Wednesday night just after 8 p.m.
The area is near the intersection of 8 Mile and Kelly Rd. on Detroit's east side.
2-year-old shot in the head on Detroit's east side
The little girl was sitting in the car with her father outside of the house when her dad and the suspect got into a fight. The suspect walked away and came back with a gun and shot up the girl.
The girl was hit with a bullet in the head. The suspect's target, her father, was uninjured.
Police said the suspect is 30-year-old Cleveland Smelley. He's described as 5'10", 220 lbs, wearing all gray. It's believed a black Chevrolet Tahoe was involved in the shooting.
"We can't police stupid. It's not against the law to be stupid. When you pull out a gun and there's kids in the area, common sense should tell you not to do it," Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt said.
"Rather than arguing about it, one of the individuals was given a gun. He shot at the father, missed the father. A bullet entered the car, hit the girl in the head," Dolunt said.
Police arrested one man on the scene and they said he was the man who brought Smelley the gun. But they want the man who pulled the trigger in custody as soon as possible and they say Smelley is a dangerous man.
"He's been through system and is on parole for similar offense," Dolunt said. "We don't want anyone else getting hurt - officers or him. We prefer he turns himself in or his family gives him up. We don't want anybody else hurt."
Police have arrested a second suspect related to the fight that led up to the shooting.
The 30-year-old man is out on parole and has served time for assault with a dangerous weapon, felony firearms, and assault with intent to commit bodily harm.
The young girl is listed in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
Edit: Police had originally said the little girl was 3 but advised late Wednesday that the girl is 2.
