6-year-old boy shot at Fourth of July party dies

TEMPLE HILLS, Md. — Several days after a triple shooting during a holiday celebration left a Temple Hills neighborhood reeling, police confirmed that a child shot died from his injuries. 

According to the Prince George's County Police Department, three people were injured Thursday in a shooting that happened in the 4500 block of Akron Street just before 8 p.m. The people shot included two adults and a 6-year-old boy. 

In a press conference Thursday night, Prince George's Police Chief Malik Aziz said two people started shooting at another person, ending with three victims shot. 

On Sunday, police announced that 6-year-old Ahsan Payton had died Saturday night. Ahsan had been taken to a hospital right after the shooting in critical condition. 

"This incident underscores why we’re urgently working on addressing the pervasive issue of gun violence," Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said in a statement Sunday. "It is unacceptable that our neighborhoods, our celebrations, and our very homes are not safe from the threat of firearms. We remain committed to our efforts to remove illegal guns from our streets and protect our Prince Georgians from such tragedies. Every resident has the right to live in peace and safety." 

A woman was also treated at the scene for a graze wound, while a man had non-life-threatening injuries. Both are expected to survive. 

Police have not yet said whether there is a relationship between Ahsan and either of the two shooting victims. 

No arrests have been made yet in connection to this shooting, nor any susect or motive information released. 

State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said her team is working to find those responsible. 

"Our law enforcement officers are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend those suspects responsible for this atrocity," she said. "We will not rest until justice is served. Let me be clear: any individuals found to be involved in this shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will pursue every avenue within our discretion to ensure that those responsible for this violence face the consequences of their actions. This must stop."

WUSA9 sent a team to the shooting scene the day after the party to talk to neighbor, who told reporters they might stop celebrating Fourth of July parties, a 20-year-old tradition in this community, given the tragedy with Ahsan. 

"So, we won’t be doing this again," said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous. "So it’s kind of messed up, because we actually used to do it every year for the kids. It’s unfortunate that actually a kid got shot." 

The shooting remains under investigation and nyone with information is asked to call the Prince George's County Police Department Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512. You can also call anonymously at 1-866-411-8477, text your tip to 274637, or go to www.pgpolice.org and submit a tip online. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this shooting. 

Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com. 

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