4 children, 1 adult hospitalized in Fort Worth shooting at Las Vegas Trail apartments

Five victims including four children were transported to hospitals after they were shot at an apartment complex on Las Vegas Trail in west Fort Worth on Wednesday night.

The youngest victim of the drive-by shooting is 3 years old and the oldest is 19, according to Fort Worth police.

Injuries to victims as young as 3 range from severe to minor

One patient was in critical condition, one in serious condition and three were in good condition with more minor injuries when they were transported by ambulance, according to MedStar.

Four of the injured were taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center, and one injured adult was also transported to a hospital. A sixth person with a minor injury refused treatment at the scene, police said.

The shooting was reported about 7:30 p.m. at the Miramar Apartments and Townhomes, at 3064 Las Vegas Trail.

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No suspects in custody in drive-by shooting

In a news conference at the scene, Police Chief Neil Noakes said one or more shooters opened fire from a vehicle and wounded the victims, who were outdoors at the apartments.

No suspects were in custody Wednesday night, and no description of the vehicle has been released. A police spokesperson said the motive for the shooting has not been determined and investigators are trying to find out who or what the target was.

A police spokesperson said Thursday morning that the investigation is continuing and there are no updates yet about any suspects or the victims. A Cook Children’s spokesperson said the hospital could not release updates on the victims’ conditions.

Police gave an age range of the victims but said they were still trying to confirm the exact ages of the others and whether the victims are related to one another.

Police said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and that they don’t expect any further danger to the community.

Police chief calls shooting of children ‘heartless’

Noakes expressed anger about the gun violence inflicted on young victims.

“It makes me sick to my stomach,” the police chief said. “... There’s absolutely no reason anybody should be conducting themselves in such a violent, careless, heartless way that children should be shot.”

“I’m a parent myself,” Noakes said. “I can only imagine how heart-wrenching this would be for a parent, for their child, your child to be shot in such a senseless way.”

Noakes said the shooting is believed to be unrelated to the stabbing that critically injured a cashier at a nearby Kroger store on Camp Bowie West Boulevard during a robbery attempt Wednesday afternoon. A suspect in the stabbing was arrested.

Councilman says city’s efforts have reduced crime in Las Vegas Trail area

The Fort Worth City Council member who represents the area said the latest crime statistics for the Las Vegas Trail area show the city’s “efforts and focus on the area are working, but there is still more work to be done.”

A Fort Worth Police Department report shows violent crime in the area was down for the period of January through March of this year compared with the same time frame in 2023 and 2022. Ninety-seven crimes against persons, such as assault and sex offenses, were reported this year, compared with 132 in each of the prior years.

“Last night’s events were a tragedy and not in line with the overall trend of crime reduction in the area,” District 3 Councilmember Michael Crain said. “I’m proud of our first responders who acted quickly to address and resolve. I remain committed to increasing our public safety efforts in this corridor and the revitalization plans for those who call the area home. Gun violence, especially involving our youth, has no place in our society and especially in Fort Worth. I will continue to pray for the victims and their families and will continue my work so this does not happen again.”

Police ask community for tips

More than 30 police units responded to the apartments, according to a call log. Responding officers assisted in providing first aid to the victims along with the Fort Worth Fire Department and MedStar.

Police asked the public to avoid the area Wednesday night.

The Police Department’s gun violence unit is investigating the shooting. Police asked anyone with information that could help in the search to identify suspects to call the department at 817-392-4222. Tips may remain anonymous.

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Staff writers Harriet Ramos and Harrison Mantas contributed to this report.