As Memorial Day approaches, Baltimore is grappling with a concerning uptick in juvenile gun violence incidents. On Saturday evening, a 17-year-old female was shot in the hand in west Baltimore, adding to a series of troubling incidents involving young victims.

Just a day earlier, another female was shot approximately a mile away from the Saturday incident. These shootings come mere weeks after a 7-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire of an altercation between two groups inside Mondawmin Mall, leaving her injured by gunfire.

Despite Mayor Brandon Scott’s assertion that non-fatal shootings and homicides have declined, the city has already seen three juvenile gunshot fatalities this year alone. The recent spate of incidents involving young victims has cast a shadow over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, raising concerns about the safety of Baltimore’s youth.

While authorities work to address the issue, the escalating violence has left the community shaken and calling for urgent action to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents. As families prepare to gather and commemorate the holiday, the need for a concerted effort to curb gun violence and safeguard Baltimore’s children has become increasingly apparent.