Arabian Gayles, 11-Year-Old New Orleans Girl, Shot Dead While Cradling 1-Year-Old

11-Year-Old Shot Dead While Cradling Baby

Relatives say that an 11-year-old New Orleans girl was fatally shot in the head early Monday while cradling a 1-year-old in her arms, NBC News reports.

Arabian Gayles died five hours after the incident, in which police say a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire on a house where at least four young children were in bed.

Derek Moffett, Arabian’s uncle, described being stunned by the violence.

“When they woke me up, I thought they were playing,” he told The Advocate. “Then I saw blood coming out of her head.”

The shooting also left Gayles' cousin and a 38-year-old man with non-life threatening injuries.

"This is a case of unconscionable, reckless violence, which has devastated yet another New Orleans family, who must now make funeral arrangements for one of its children," Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas said, according to the Times-Picayune.

A variety of bullet casings were found at the scene, leading police to search for multiple suspects, WDSU reports.

Police have yet to announce a motive for the shooting.

Before You Go

"Young L.A. Girl Slain; Body Slashed in Two" ― L.A.'s Daily News

10 Major Crimes That Shocked the Nation (SLIDESHOW)

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