15-year-old shot in the stomach in West Palm Beach, neighbors ask why she wasn't in school

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - News of a 15-year-old girl being shot in the stomach by another teenager in West Palm Beach has many wondering what is happening to our youth and asking, 'Where are the parents?'

West Palm Beach Police Officer Stephanie Patterson spends every day encouraging children and teenagers to picture bright futures.

Patterson is a crime-fighter, but also hopes she's a life coach for kids coming to the West Palm Beach Police Athletic League.

"We're doing as much as we can to try and engage teens and entice them to come into programs so they don't have to be hanging out," said Patterson.

Crime, including teen-on-teen crime, is the reason the athletic league feels its presence is vital on the Tamarind Avenue corridor.

According to police, a 15-year-old girl visited a home on 11th Street midday Tuesday when she should have been in school. While at the home, a 15-year-old boy knocked on the door. That's when trouble ensued.

"The two began to argue and that's when he shot her in the stomach and fled," said Emergency Manager Alan Ortman.

The teenage victim is the mother of a 2-month-old child. Police said the child was not at the shooting scene and the 15-year-old will recover from her injuries.

Weary residents are fed up with the violence that too often engulfs children in the community.

"Why wasn't she in school?" asked a neighbor.

"If they're in fact 15 years of age, there's an argument they should have been at school," said Ortman.

Keeping kids in school and off the streets are twin goals for the Police Athletic League. Crime prevention starts at home, but the league also wishes more community residents were willing to be drafted into the fight for children's futures.

"We're working really hard to find mentors for teens we work with on a daily basis," said Officer Patterson.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the West Palm Beach Police Athletic League, you can call 561-835-7195.