Seven people, including a three-year-old boy, were shot outside Baltimore’s Douglass Homes public housing complex Wednesday night, and police are still hunting for the gunman.
Quick Take
- The shooting happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday at North Caroline and East Fayette streets outside Douglass Homes in East Baltimore.
- Seven victims were hit, including a three-year-old boy who needed surgery and remains in serious condition.
- A patrol officer heard the gunfire, found the victims, and rushed the injured child to the hospital himself.
- Police Commissioner Richard Worley and Mayor Brandon Scott are pushing the public to come forward with information.
- Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a $7,000 reward for tips that lead to an arrest.
A Quiet Night Turns Into a Mass Shooting Scene
Gunfire broke out around 9 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of North Caroline and East Fayette streets, right outside the Douglass Homes public housing complex in East Baltimore. Both streets were blocked off as officers flooded the area.
The mayor’s office confirmed at least five people had been shot, a number that grew as police pieced together the full scope of the attack that unfolded on the property grounds.
By the next morning, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley confirmed seven people had been shot, including a three-year-old boy. The child underwent surgery and remained in serious but stable condition at the hospital.
Neighbors who watched the chaos unfold called the attack disgraceful, describing a scene where gunfire tore through a residential block where families live and children play.
Seven shot including three-year-old boy in Baltimore bloodbath as cops hunt for 'coward' gunmen https://t.co/c9Edt66e1j
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) September 17, 2026
An Officer’s Quick Response Saved Precious Time
A Baltimore police officer happened to be patrolling the block when the shots rang out. He turned the corner and found multiple victims down.
Rather than wait for an ambulance, the officer drove the injured child to the hospital himself. That fast decision likely mattered for a toddler fighting for his life after being caught in adult gunfire.
Investigators say the officer’s presence gave them a head start on the case. Detectives were able to begin canvassing the scene, collecting evidence, and speaking with witnesses within minutes of the shooting instead of after a delayed response. Police have not said whether the officer saw the shooter or shooters flee the area.
City Leaders Demand Answers and Action
Mayor Brandon Scott did not hide his anger when a reporter pressed him about his emotional response to the shooting. Scott said everyone in the city should be looking for the person responsible, using blunt language to describe his frustration with the violence.
His comments reflected a city weary of repeated bursts of gunfire hitting bystanders, including children too young to understand what happened to them.
Baltimore Metro Crime Stoppers responded by offering a $7,000 reward for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest and felony charges in the case.
Anti-gun violence groups also rallied near the scene, calling for the community to reject the silence that often protects shooters in cases like this one. Their message was simple: someone knows who did this.
The Search for a Gunman Continues
Baltimore Police said the investigation remains active and ongoing, with detectives following multiple leads to identify whoever opened fire.
As of Thursday afternoon, police had not publicly named a suspect in the shooting. A Texas-based advocacy group also joined the effort, offering resources to help investigators identify those responsible.
WATCH: Outrage spread through the Douglass Homes public housing community after a mass shooting Wednesday night left seven people injured, including a three-year-old boy, as Baltimore Police continued searching for the person who opened fire.
Latest: https://t.co/CJStxarfyM pic.twitter.com/3bPuHJzzW8
— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) September 18, 2026
Police have not released a motive for the shooting or said whether the victims were targeted or caught in crossfire. What is clear is that a toddler is recovering from surgery because someone opened fire on a crowded residential block. Baltimore’s leaders and its police force are now racing to find that person before the trail goes cold.
Sources:
wbaltv.com, wbal.com, cbsnews.com, youtube.com
