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Police: Social Media Dispute Led To Fatal Shooting Of 3-Year-Old Girl

Amiracle Williams
Amiracle Williams (Handout photos)

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit police are releasing more details about the chain of-events leading up to Thursday's east side shooting that left a 3-year-old girl dead and three others wounded.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig says the incident outside of a home on Mogul Street, near Hayes, began with a group of teenage girls having a fight on social media.

Craig said one of the girl's fathers, whose name has not been released, felt threatened by someone at his front door.

"The father, who was at that location, observed a fight, felt his daughters may have been in some sort of danger and responded by shooting one person at the scene," Craig told reporters Friday. "That person was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injury."

"Following by that, the suspect who we have in custody removed the machine gun and began to fire repeatedly, striking the five victims."

In total, Craig said, two people have been arrested in connection with this incident. He said they are not currently looking for any additional suspects.

Amiracle Williams, age 3, died Thursday. Both of the child's parents and another adult female were also injured.  Their names have not been released.

Craig on Thursday had said police believed the shooting was "gang-related." On Friday he amended that, saying gang members were involved but the shooting itself was not connected to gang activity.

Craig did not offer any specifics about the social media dispute.

He said the weapon used in the shooting has been recovered and the investigation remains ongoing.

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