6 Hurt At Washington Zoo Shooting Two Feuding Youth Groups Exchange Gunfire At The Washington National Zoo, Wounding Six Children By NANCY ZUCKERBROD .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (April 24) - Gunfire rang through the National Zoo on Monday evening as a feud between youths turned violent, leaving six children wounded. A 12-year-old boy was in grave condition. Capt. Brian Lee, a spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services, said one boy suffered grave wounds to the head and the others did not appear to have life-threatening injuries. Hours later, police were still seeking a gunman, circling the zoo in helicopters and investigating whether shots were fired by more than one youth. ''We are looking into the possibility that it is gang-related, but we are not certain,'' Police Chief Charles Ramsey said. He said the victims ranged in age from 11 to 16. One girl was in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the chest, and at least three others were listed in critical condition A seventh victim suffered a seizure, Lee said. The zoo, a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, was playing host to an annual African-American family celebration day when the gunfire broke out. Zoo visitors were shaken by the episode. Witnesses said the shooting occurred near the entrance along Connecticut Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares. ''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. 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 of youths. ''He was just shooting at the people he was fighting'' but struck the children bystanders, Johnson said. The zoo planned to remain closed Tuesday. ''It is just a terrible, terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families,'' zoo spokesman Robert Hoage 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. Mayor Anthony Williams visited Children's Hospital to console victims' families. Three of the wounded were taken there and all were in critical condition, said Dr. Marty Eichelberger, the chief trauma surgeon. About an hour after the shooting, Vice President Al Gore announced the shootings at a Democratic fund-raiser in New York City, bringing gasps from the audience that included actress Lauren Bacall. ''We really have to have mandatory child safety trigger locks, and photo license IDs for the purchase of new handguns,'' Gore told the crowd, sounding a frequent Clinton administration theme. The president and first lady were also at the fund-raiser. The zoo, a popular attraction for both for out-of-town tourists and local residents, is in a wealthy neighborhood in northwest Washington. Though located on one of the capital's main boulevards, it has seldom experienced violence. In 1995, a Little Rock, Ark., woman was found mauled to death in the lion exhibit. Police and the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide. A year earlier, a group of teens killed an Australian black swan by dropping a large rock on the bird as it slept in its enclosure. The youths fled before police could catch them. -- Well, DC has had trigger lock requirements since at least 1993 and licensing since the 60s, oh, and a handgun ban since 1976. Steve. -------[Cybershooters contacts]-------- Editor: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website & subscription info: www.cybershooters.org
