Man arrested in shooting of 3-year-old boy in Duquesne

DUQUESNE, Pa. — A man is behind bars after allegedly shooting a three-year-old boy in Duquesne in February, police said.

That man is Ammar Rodriguez, 19, of Wilmerding.

The shooting happened along 3rd Street in Duquesne on the night of Feb. 17.

Police say a three-year-old boy was shot in the stomach.

That night, according to police, officers put the toddler in their patrol car and rushed him halfway to the hospital, with his mother, before meeting up with medics, who took him the rest of the way.

Rodriguez is now behind bars after authorities say a detective spotted him getting on a bus in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The detective followed Rodriguez to McKeesport where County Police and US Marshals arrested the 19-year-old.

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“Lock him up. Put it that way,” said Charles Evans, from Duquesne. “He’s unsafe to everybody.”

According to the police report, Rodriguez knew the child’s mother and was with her in her home along with her two young children when the shooting happened.

The criminal complaint states Rodriguez was alone with the three-year-old when a single shot rang out.

The mother was in another room.

Police say the bullet hit the child in the stomach, the leg of a coffee table, a pillow, and a rolled-up rug.

According to Investigators, Rodriguez tried to tell them the bullet came from outside the house, but police say there were no holes in the walls or broken windows.

Officers have not said why they believe Rodriquez fired his gun.

“Unimaginable, just to think about that,” said Evans. “A three-year-old can’t do anything to anybody.”

Rodriguez was denied bail.  The judge said he poses a threat to the community.

He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 8.

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