HARTFORD, Conn. — A 12-year-old girl who was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting Thursday night in Hartford has died, police confirmed Friday morning. Three other people were also injured in the shooting.
Delphine Gibson, a Hartford resident said she stopped what she was doing in the kitchen when she heard the gunshots.
"I heard a loud bang, bang, bang," said Delphine Gibson of Hartford.
Hartford police say officers responded to a shot spotter activation at 8:42 p.m. on Huntington St. for several rounds of gunfire. When they got there they found two victims.
One victim was an 18-year-old man with serious injuries.
The second victim was a 12-year-old girl, who was identified as Secret Pierce of Hartford, a seventh-grade student in the city. She was shot in the head and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She was pronounced dead at 7 a.m. Friday.
Police said she was sitting in a car and most likely had nothing to do with the shooting when bullets were fired from a car speeding by. Police also believe she was the only one in the car.
"I heard the mother crying and screaming trying to get to her daughter," added Gibson.
Mayor Luke Bronin addressed the city Friday morning, as Pierce's loved ones, neighbors, and classmates and teachers at her middle school process this sudden loss.
"We're a small city, there will be so many in our community who will feel this loss," Bronin said.
"This is a painful day," Hartford School Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez added. "To us, Secret was one of our beautiful, capable students. We’ve activated all of our crisis counselors at all of our schools."
Two other male victims, a 16-year-old and a 23-year-old, walked into Saint Francis Hospital suffering non-life-threatening injuries from gunshot wounds. They are in stable condition.
Bronin urged the three males involved to come forward and cooperate with police for the investigation; he said withholding information would be "unfair" to Secret and her legacy.
"I also call on them to share whatever they know, because I believe they know who shot the bullets that killed the 12-year-old girl," Bronin added.
Police say some city surveillance footage was captured of the vehicle going north on Huntington St. when gunfire erupted and police are looking to identify the car. There is no description of the car, but police said they'll be "all hands on deck" to find it.
Police added they are looking for two suspects - the driver and a passenger.
Police believe the three males standing on the sidewalk were the intended targets of the drive-by shooting, and Pierce was caught in the crossfire.
The three males involved have an extensive criminal history and multiple firearms arrests, according to Bronin.
Neighbors who witnessed the heavy police presence told FOX61 they are tired of the ongoing violence.
"It’s so senseless how this young lady just lost her life and it’s senseless how all of these young people have no regard for life – no more human life," said Howard Fair Sr. of Hartford.
Rev. Henry Brown urged the suspects to come forward so it can provide closure and justice for Pierce's family.
"I just wish the people that did this would somehow have another level of compassion and realized you made a mistake. You killed a young lady," said Rev. Brown.
The State Inspector was on the scene investigating and the Hartford Police Major Crimes Division canvassed the area to search for more evidence.
Mothers United Against Violence will be holding their 13th Annual March and Rally Saturday at 10 a.m. at 2250 Main Street in Hartford.
There will also be a vigil on Huntington Street at 4 p.m. to remember Pierce.
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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