ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A 12-year-old boy was shot near a playground at a park in southwest Atlanta on Friday, police said.

Atlanta police said the child was shot around 6:20 p.m. at Rosa L. Burney Park and that he was not the intended target.

He was alert, conscious, and breathing when he was taken to the hospital.

“I saw some kids running, and then I heard the gunfire, and a little girl was scared,” shared a resident who lived near the center of the investigation.

Panic felt blocks away from the center of where the Atlanta Police Department crime scene tape surrounded Rosa L. Burney Park off Windsor Street.

At a time when children would be out playing on the playground and using the rec center, it was a really dangerous situation.

“We always have patrol inside saying be careful, and I’m thinking, oh, it’s a busy weekend, and I had no idea this was going on,” said Raven Bennett Worley, who told us she was inside her office at the recreation center at the park at the time.

She said that she was unaware that a child had been shot, in what should be a haven for kids to enjoy summer.

“So, it is disturbing to hear violence happening anywhere, but especially in an area that does so much to support the community that may not be as well-served as others,” added Worley.

Parents in the neighborhood are deeply concerned by this violent night.

“When I was coming up, everybody was family, and now you get this person mad at this person, and so they take it out on the kids,” said Tye Glenn.

Safety is a big concern for many, which is why Atlanta Police says they need the community’s help finding the shooter, asking anyone with information to come forward by reaching out to Crimestoppers.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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