A young mother who was leaving a corner store with her three year old daughter in her arms was shot this week. But despite reports of many witnesses being out when the shooting happened, no one was willing to give any information to police on the scene. Both the mother and daughter survived but the story is still a tragic one, and only one of many in recent years.
The mother, twenty-one years old, was shot in the buttocks and her daughter was hit in the arm. The child was also injured about the face, it’s believed, when the mother dropped her after being shot.
The shots all came from one vehicle and it seems the young mother stepped into the line of fire unknowingly. It was about 8:45 pm and many people were out and about in the area.
In the NJ.com story, it seems the only ones willing to speak about the incident were business owners and city officials. Family members of the victim refused to comment, as did neighbors sitting outside when the reporter was investigating. They weren’t any more forthcoming with law enforcement either.
“There were a large number of people out at that scene. However, we were unable to obtain any information from witnesses,” says one Detective. Though the police say they have a few leads, witnesses in the neighborhood refuse to come forward.
Sad, but scenes like this play out across the country nearly every day. People in these communities plagued by violence don’t just fear the gun wielding criminals; they also distrust the gun wielding police officers. This makes it difficult for law enforcement to solve any of the shootings because no one wants to put their neck on the line, nor do they want to be viewed as a snitch.
It’s particularly tragic when a young mother and child are shot and no one comes forward. But these communities can’t carry all of the blame, in a society where the culture of poverty and crime have helped to create this growing rift between the boys in blue and those they are said to be protecting.
This same mistrust carries over into the arrest procedures and the courtrooms as well. As a defendant accused of a crime, you want to know your case will be handled in a fair manner. That’s where a criminal defense attorney comes in, tasked with ensuring your rights are protected at every stage of the process.
If you are facing criminal charges and are concerned about receiving fair treatment, contact my offices today for a consultation on your case.