A 2-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was shot while in a car with his mother at a Houston park, according to Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner.
The shooting took place at about 5:25 p.m. Saturday in a parking lot at Haviland Park, where a party was underway, said Finner.
"Pray for that young baby and that mother and that entire family," Finner said at a news conference.
(MORE: Hundreds pack funeral for 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes as second suspect in her killing is charged with capital murder)At least one suspect got out of a gray car and started firing at a red car in the parking lot, witnesses said, according to Finner.
A mother and her 2-year-old boy were in that red car.
The 2-year-old was shot twice and rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery, Finner said.
(MORE: 2-year-old Tennessee girl is fighting for her life after being hit in the head by a stray bullet while playing on her backyard slide)The boy, who was not named, was in critical condition on Saturday, Finner said.
"This senseless type of violence needs to simply stop," Finner said.
"It makes no sense," he continued. "Anyone can see there's families and kids in this park. And for a coward to just take a gun and start shooting and then once he starts shooting, more individuals start shooting back at him."
(MORE: Chicago baby shot in head while in car as 10-year-old boy in California also shot in head while in a vehicle)Finner had a message for the suspect, who fled the scene: "The best thing you can do is turn yourself in because I guarantee you, we're gonna get you in custody."
Finner urged anyone with information to come forward.
"What if it was your 2-year-old baby," he said. "Wouldn't you want somebody to have enough courage to speak up?"