13-year-old girl facing life-threatening injuries after shooting near Pueblo Riverwalk
Celeste Springer
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) confirms they got a call for a shooting near the riverwalk early Monday morning.
According to the department, they were sent out just before 3 a.m. because a teen was in life-threatening condition at the hospital after being shot. PPD confirmed the teen is a girl.
The family of the teen tells KRDO13 that she’s 13 years old. They say the bullet went through her brain and that she’s already had two surgeries today, and says that she’s fighting in the hospital.
They say they had stopped for food before the 13-year-old went to a sleepover with friends when the shooting happened.
Police believe the incident happened near the riverwalk around 102 S. Victoria Ave.
The Pueblo Police Department says officers are reviewing security footage and speaking with two other people who were with the victim at the shooting. Police are unsure whether the incident was random or targeted at this time.
According to the Police, they have the car in which the crime occurred and are actively investigating and working to develop a suspect profile.
Pueblo Police say that, due to this incident and a rise in crime downtown, their department plans to step up patrols in the downtown area. Which is something that many people along the riverwalk were happy to hear.
“The fact that Pueblo PD is circulating throughout the downtown area adds a layer of comfort, especially, you know, for a family of small children,” shared James Duncan, a Colorado Springs resident visiting Pueblo.
“We just enjoy the Riverwalk. Have the kids play in the little fountain here,” shared Duncan, “It’s so beautiful. The city has really put a lot into building out this particular part of downtown. And, it’s unfortunate that security is an added concern at this point, because if those things were not a factor, this place would really flourish.”
He says he’s hopeful for the added Police presence.
“I think that if we can support the police and they’re trying their best to protect the citizens of Pueblo and folks like us who are visiting, we can just be grateful for that,” said Duncan.
KRDO13 also reached out to the organization in charge of the riverwalk, the Historic Arkansas River of Pueblo (HARP), to see if they were planning to increase their privately contracted security. HARP declined to comment.
PPD also wants to remind the public that there are curfews in effect and that they will continue to enforce them.
When it comes to public parks, city code says it is unlawful to be in any public park in Pueblo between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Pueblo Police also want to remind the public that minors have a curfew from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. With the curfew changing slightly on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 11:59 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. They say these rules apply unless the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult person over the age of 21.