A man has been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old girl after an argument over a parking spot at a Baltimore park escalated into gunfire over the weekend, authorities said.
Tyree Reynolds, 23, of Baltimore, was arrested Oct. 6 and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Khloe Ishway, the Baltimore Police Department said in a news release on Oct. 7. Reynolds also faces multiple other charges including attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment, according to a joint statement from Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley.
The shooting unfolded around 6:15 p.m. local time on Oct. 3 near Leon Day Park in northwest Baltimore, according to police. Officers responding to reports
of gunfire found Ishway and a 25-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds.
Ishway was taken to a hospital, where she later died, while the woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old man also arrived at area hospitals with gunshot wounds, and a 35-year-old woman later sought treatment for a "graze wound" to her back, police said. The four surviving victims were reported in stable condition.
Worley previously said the shooting appeared to have stemmed from a dispute over a parking spot between two men who pulled guns on each other. The investigation remains ongoing, and police said they are continuing to search for a second suspect believed to be involved in the shooting.
"Khloe was just 12 years old. She should have a whole life ahead of her: school, a career, time spent with family and friends. Instead, she was killed because two adult men resorted to deadly violence to resolve an argument over a parking spot," Scott and Worley said in the joint statement. "Our hearts remain with Khloe's mother, her family and friends, and our entire community, and we are committed to getting justice on their behalf."
Baltimore community grapples with tragedy
The shooting occurred during a youth football homecoming event at Leon Day Park, though it was not clear whether all of the victims or suspected shooters were attending the game. Coach Mark Brown of the Charm City Buccaneers youth football league told WBAL-TV the homecoming game had been a "beautiful day" filled with food before gunfire erupted.
"The youth had an amazing time, next thing you know, pandemonium," Brown told the local television station.
Following the shooting, Scott denounced the violence, calling it "one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen in my life."
"Two grown men got into an argument, and now a 12-year-old is gone," Scott said at an Oct. 3 news conference. "We should never have to say something like that."
The death of Ishway shocked the community. Anthony Williams, a founder of the Charm City Buccaneers, told CBS Baltimore the shooting was "horrific" and described the park as a "haven" for children and families.
Authorities continued to urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact Baltimore police homicide detectives or submit anonymous tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
Family, community members gather for vigil honoring Khloe Ishway
Family members, friends and community members gathered on the evening of Oct. 6 at Leon Day Park for a candlelight vigil honoring Ishway, hours after authorities announced Reynolds' arrest, according to WBAL-TV and CBS Baltimore.
The crowd returned to the park with candles and balloons to remember the 12-year-old and support her family. As candles illuminated the park where the shooting occurred, mourners gathered to ensure Ishway would be remembered for her life rather than the violence that ended it, CBS Baltimore reported.
Speaking to WBAL-TV, Ishway's mother, Kristin Reese, expressed gratitude after learning of the arrest.
"Thank God. That's all," Reese said, according to the television station. "There were too many people for someone not to see something, so I'm grateful for that."
Ishway's grandmother, Jacqueline Howell, told WBAL-TV that news of the arrest brought a sense of relief after days of uncertainty. Reese also said the outpouring of support from the community had been overwhelming.
"I love how everybody is supporting my baby. My baby's name is going to live on forever," Reese said, according to CBS Baltimore.
Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baltimore man charged in fatal shooting of 12-year-old girl at park
