A toddler was shot on Sunday morning after an argument between two tow truck drivers turned violent.

The incident occurred a bit after midnight within the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia. The drivers have been sitting of their autos at a Jiffy Lube location and obtained into an argument, ultimately exiting their autos to confront one another, NBC Philadelphia reported.

In response to Philadelphia Police Division Capt. John Walker, this verbal spat escalated till one of many males went again to his truck, pulled out a handgun, and opened hearth. It stays unclear what the argument was about or what incited it.

In the course of the chaotic incident, a 3-year-old little one that had been sitting in one of many vehicles was hit within the leg by a stray bullet. The town's controller's workplace stated that 15 youngsters beneath the age of 18 have been shot within the metropolis to date this 12 months.

philadelphia toddler shot
A 3-year-old little one was injured by a stray bullet after an argument between two truck drivers escalated to violence. Above, a shot of the Philadelphia skyline. Bruce Bennett/Getty Pictures

"Contained in the truck was a 3-year-old little one," Walker defined. "Three bullets went by means of the door. The kid was struck in the best leg."

The kid, whose id has not been launched to the general public, was initially taken to the Temple College Hospital's Episcopal Campus for therapy and was later transferred to St. Christopher's Hospital for Kids. Walker stated on Sunday that the kid is in secure situation.

Police are actually looking for the suspects concerned within the incident. The driving force, who's believed to have fired the gun and injured the kid, was reportedly driving a black truck with tinted home windows and a towing mechanism hooked up. The automobile was unmarked.

Police are asking anybody with data of the incident to return ahead. They've additionally obtained surveillance footage from the Port Richmond Jiffy Lube, which they hope will make clear the incident.

"We all know this can be a place that frequents drag racing and folks watching these occasions," Walker continued. "There's often tow vehicles that sit on this Jiffy Lube."

Talking with ABC 6 Information, native residents expressed concern over the incident and lamented the hazard that their youngsters proceed to face.

"It is unhappy. I've youngsters, you recognize what I imply," Looking Park resident Hector Ponce stated. "It is a unhappy world we stay in, a disgrace, a 3-year-old."

"You need to maintain them inside nearly on a regular basis as a result of you'll be able to't stroll within the neighborhoods with out worrying and it's a must to have a set of eyes at the back of your head on a regular basis," Steve Sachs of Kensington additionally informed the station.

Newsweek reached out to the Philadelphia Police Division for a touch upon this story.