ATLANTA — A teen was shot in Atlanta on Wednesday, according to police. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
Atlanta Police responded to a person shot call in the 3200 block of Stone Road SW in Atlanta at 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, police said. This is not far from Stone Hogan Park.
Officers said preliminary information indicates that a teenager was hurt. Police later said that a 16-year-old girl was found inside an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a hospital for medical treatment in stable condition and was admitted into surgery, authorities said.
An early investigation indicated that the shooting began as an altercation in a nearby parking lot, police said. Shots were fired during the altercation, leading to one of the bullets entering the apartment and striking the victim. Police believe she was an innocent bystander.
Dmiya Blair said she lives about 10-feet from that parking lot.
"I heard like five shots and I heard like a child screaming. I didn't know where it came from," she said. "I was going to my car."
Blair has lived in that neighborhood for nearly two years.
"It’s a nice community," she said. "Kids come out to play all day every day. All day every day. Nothing has happened like this at all.”
She said this hits close to home because she has a 2 and an 8-year-old child.
“It’s very scary… very scary… because my kids come out and play, too. That could’ve been anybody’s child. It could’ve been mine," she said.
Fights turning into shootings have become a top priority for Atlanta Police officers, as investigators say that 41% of all homicides in the city now begin with arguments.
"We are already noticing an escalation in disputes that are happening out in our community," Atlanta Police Major Anthony Jackson said on the scene. "We just ask the public, if they see any gatherings or anything, that they alarm the police so we can come out and see what's going on. We just ask that people learn how to resolve their issues without resulting to gun violence."
No suspects have been identified or apprehended at the time.
The Atlanta Police encourage anyone with information to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS(8477).
This is a developing story, we'll continue to update as we learn more.