16-Year-Old Charged in Shooting

Newark police arrested a boy who shot a girl in the leg while attempting to shoot a third youth, the department said in a statement.

A Weequahic High School student was walking home from football practice around 7:30 pm Tuesday night when he came across another WHS student at 271 Goldsmith Ave. The second youth fired several rounds from a handgun at the football player, missing him but striking the girl, police said. The girl -- who was treated at University Hospital and later released -- as well as the two boys are all 16 years old.

Police Wednesday did not know why the suspect shot at the other youth.

The alleged shooter, who lives near the crime scene, was arrested after the victim spotted him walking his dog near the corner of Goldsmith and Aldine Street. The victim had called his football coach, a Newark police officer, then canvassed the area together. The suspect was found and arrested with the assistance of other officers. The gun was also recovered from the suspect’s yard, police said.

 The juvenile has been charged with assault and weapons offenses.