COLUMBUS, Ohio — On a cool November Sunday, 12-year-old Ndiyah played outside with her neighborhood friends on Ellsworth Avenue, riding scooters past the home riddled with bullets the night before.
Ndiyah was at her home down the street when the shots rang out.
“I heard gunshots and there was a lot of police flying down the street and they were taping up the corner so no one could go and stuff,” she said. “I was scared when I heard the gunshots.”
Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said someone drove past the house and fired multiple shots. A 2-year-old boy was inside when he was struck.
Ndiyah plays with the boy’s older brothers and was upset to find out the victim was a toddler.
“That was sad because he is only 2 years old and he is still little,” Ndiyah said.
Sgt. Albert said the first responders saved the boy’s life. His condition was described as stable at the hospital and he is expected to survive.
The search continues for a suspect, but police have not shared a description.
“If you talk to someone who is involved in this, I highly doubt they were looking to shoot a 2-year-old and their actions nearly ended a life of a 2-year-old,” Albert said. “I beg and plead with whoever is involved in this to turn themselves in. This is absolutely ridiculous.”
At just 12 years old, Ndiyah and her neighborhood friends know the sound of gunshots when they hear them.
There have been shootings on her street in the past. Her own home has bullet holes in the windowpane from before she and her family moved in.
“A lot of little kids be getting killed and stuff,” she said.
Ndiyah’s mom did not want to share her name or be on camera but told 10TV she was scared for her family. Her car has been struck with bullets outside her home. After their 2-year-old neighbor was shot, she said she has had enough.
“It is a disgrace to our community and all that live here,” she said.
Ndiyah’s message: “Stop the violence.”
Anyone with information on the shooting Saturday night is asked to call Columbus Police Det. Jones at 614-645-4373 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).