Homicide unit investigating drive-by shooting of boy, 2, in east Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was shot in a drive-by shooting Sunday night on the east side of Columbus.

Columbus Police are still searching for the shooter, who they said left in a gray or silver four-door sedan. 

A friend of the family said the mother is still at the hospital with her son. 

Neighbors said they are nervous knowing the shooter is still out there, and are shaken and heartbroken. They called for solutions to the violence in this area before more people are hurt.

Sandy Kirkland said she saw the young boy and his family outside all day Sunday.

“The neighbors were having a nice little party, had the door open. Kids were playing out front. They were grilling out," Kirkland said. "As the day went by, the party got louder. Music was up, blaring pretty much the entire day."

Columbus police said things ended abruptly when an unknown person drove by the complex and fired shots just before 9 p.m. The shooter drove off immediately, according to police.

“I can hear shots going on," Shawna Stewart, a neighbor, said. "And I said to my husband, that's not fireworks, and he agreed."

The shooter hit a two-year-old boy, leaving him in critical condition.

“The child hasn't even begun to live life and already he's about to lose his life,” Stewart said. “Something needs to stop with this gun violence.” 

One woman said she heard fighting before the shots. On Monday, there were bullet holes in doors and toys still in the yard.

Both Stewart and Kirkland also pointed out a memorial just steps away from where the boy was shot, explaining it is for another two-year-old who was killed in a hit-and-run crash about three years ago. Both were emotional when talking about how violence has impacted innocent lives.

“Very hard and difficult ones to see these babies out here,” Kirkland said.

They said violence, especially gun violence, is all too common in the area.

“It's getting worse. It's getting so much worse. You hear it almost every single night, close by somewhere," Kirkland said.

They said city and state leaders need to step up and do something about the violence.

“At some point, let’s cut the crap," Stewart said. "We lose enough of our own children and our own people because of gun violence, and y'all getting bitter with each other and having these fights back and forth. For what."

Columbus police said due to the severity of the boy's injuries, their homicide unit is investigating this case. They asked anyone with information on the suspect or car to contact them right away.