12-year-old Millville boy struck by stray bullet: Cops

Millville, NJ (WTXF) - A 12-year-old is recovering at Inspira Vineland Medical Center after someone opened fire in his Millville apartment complex. Police say witnesses tell them someone fired 5 to 7 shots from a car driving through Oakview Apartments where the boy lives. It happened Sunday evening just after 7:30 while the child was outside. Police don't believe he was the intended target.

"It seemed like it was bound to happen," said Kimberly and her husband Tim Carty. They've been pushing city officials to do something about the violence. Early last month they and other neighbors rallied at Buck and Foundry Street after a shooting happened just blocks away from a school. What happened to the 12-year old is what they've feared for some time now.

"It's heart breaking. My son is about the same age as that child presumably they go to school together," said Kim. Just a few weeks ago concerned neighbors packed a City Commission meeting asking officials to bring "Shotspotter" to Millville. It detects where gunshots are fired to help police get there faster. The city passed it onto county officials to help pay for it. Tim Carty says it's now in the hands of a finance committee.

"Something's got to get done. If this isn't the wakeup call that the city needs, the Commissioners need and everybody I don't know what it's going to take," said Tim.

Parents who live in the apartment complex where the 12-year old was shot did not want to talk on camera.

One said she doesn't let her kids outside. The Cartys say police are doing a good job but something more needs to be done.

"We want to be able to put our heads on the pillow at the end of the night knowing that this is the best place for them to grow and be connected to our families. This is where our families are from," said Kim.

No word on a description of the car the gunshots came from or a motive for the drive by.