PITTSBURGH — A 1-year-old boy was shot and killed in downtown Pittsburgh in the United States on Saturday afternoon. During a press conference following the shooting, officials said the shooting was a targeted incident. 

The child was not the intended target, but a passenger in the car was. Officials said that residents shouldn’t feel unsafe at this time. 

The boy has been identified as DeAery Thomas. According to a release from Pittsburgh Police, the shooting happened at around 2:44 p.m.

Officials at the scene said the shooting was a drive by shooting, and a bullet went right through the window of a Jeep, hitting the child. He was pronounced dead when medics arrived. “I don’t think you can ever say it can be worse when a baby gets killed, or anyone for that matter,” said Cristyn Zett, Commander of Pittsburgh Police in Zone 6. “We are actively working nationwide to reduce violence in all of our cities, and any loss of life is tragic.” Witness Greg Damjanovic heard six gunshots. “Me and my wife ran to the window,” Damjanovic said. “We just saw the mother get out of her Jeep crying, ‘they shot my baby, they shot my baby!’” There is no word on any potential suspect. Officials said that investigators have located the car they believe the suspect was driving later Sunday. 

During the press conference, Mayor Ed Gainey vowed to take action. “I want to show our city we are going to do everything we can to make this summer safe, especially for our children,” Gainey said. 

“These acts of violence will not hold our city hostage. Enough is enough. We will bring the full weight and power of our combined resources to bear and assure we get the most violent actors off our streets.” Read the full story here.