From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Zoo Shooting Leaves Boy Brain Dead By NANCY ZUCKERBROD Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) � One boy is brain dead and five other children recovering from gunshot wounds suffered during a possibly gang-related shooting at the National Zoo, police said. The popular tourist attraction was closed today as police continued their investigation. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is offering a $25,000 reward. ``This type of random violence is repulsive and it must not be allowed to go unpunished,'' NAACP President Kweisi Mfume told The Associated Press today. He added that the civil rights organization recently ``decided to take a more proactive stance on incidents like this.'' Police said they were investigating whether the shootings were gang related and sought at least one teen-age gunman who fired a handgun into groups of youths after a confrontation escalated to bottle throwing and then shots. The shooting victims ranged in age from 11 to 16 and were attending a century-old post-Easter gathering at the zoo celebrating black families. A high-ranking police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a boy, either 11 or 12 years old, was shot in the head and declared brain dead at a hospital. The boy was being kept alive by machines to allow his family to donate his organs, the official said. Officials at Children's Hospital National Medical Center, where the boy was being treated, would say only that the boy remained in very critical condition. A 12-year-old girl was in serious condition with a wound to the pelvis, a 14-year-old boy was in serious condition with a leg wound, and three other youths were hospitalized with less serious injuries, according to officials at the hospitals where they were treated. Hours later, police still circled the zoo in helicopters. ``We are looking into the possibility that it is gang-related, but we are not certain,'' Police Chief Charles Ramsey said. The 111-year-old zoo, a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, is one of the most visited sites in Washington, drawing 3 million local residents and tourists each year. Nestled on 163 acres in one of Washington's wealthiest neighborhoods, it has seldom experienced violence and was better known for the rare Chinese pandas it housed for over two decades. The gunfire broke out shortly after 6 p.m. EDT in broad daylight and stunned visitors. ``I am not bringing them back. These are my grandkids. It is not safe,'' said Sandra Edwards, who was visiting the zoo with her grandchildren when she heard the shots and saw youths fighting. Edwards said she thought some of the teen-agers appeared to be gang members, because they wore matching clothing. For instance, she said one group of teens all wore blue bandanas. In addition to the gunshot wounds, a seventh victim in the vicinity of the melee suffered a seizure and a pregnant woman was taken to the hospital after experiencing abdominal pain, authorities said. Assistant Chief Terrance Gainer said police suspected a 9 mm handgun might have been used. Police roped off two shooting scenes - one just outside the zoo entrance and the other inside the zoo. Nakisha Johnson, 17, said she saw one young man open fire after a feud between youths became violent. She said the children who were wounded were caught in the middle of the two groups. ``He was just shooting at the people he was fighting'' but struck the children bystanders, Johnson said. Witnesses said the shooting occurred when a bottle was thrown from one group of youths at some other youths in a crowd near the zoo gate. A piece of glass struck a young woman in the face, and then shots rang out, the witnesses said. ``Everybody started grabbing their babies and running,'' said Kristyl Nelson, 14. Vice President Al Gore announced the shootings about an hour after they occurred, while he was attending a Democratic fund-raiser in New York City. The news brought gasps from the audience. Kate Cormack Partner - Software & Training Office Devils -- And of course, handguns are banned in Washington, DC. Steve. -------[Cybershooters contacts]-------- Editor: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website & subscription info: www.cybershooters.org
