3 children shot in Fort Worth drive-by; 17-year-old and 5-year-old killed

By Michael Williams

Three minors were shot during a drive-by shooting in Fort Worth Sunday afternoon, leaving a 17-year-old and a 5-year-old dead, according to police.

The third victim, an 18-month-old toddler, survived the shooting, which took place in the 8500 block of Steel Dust Drive, off Old Decatur Road, Fort Worth police Chief Neil Noakes said.

Several people called 911 to report the gunfire about 2:13 p.m., Noakes said. First responders treated all three victims at the scene. The two older children were pronounced dead, while the toddler received what Noakes described as “minor” injuries and is expected to survive.

Noakes said several suspects drove to the house in a car and opened fire on a group of people standing in the home’s front yard before fleeing.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing violent crime here in Fort Worth in numbers we don’t want to see,” Noakes said. “But when you have children who were murdered completely senselessly, it adds just another level to that tragedy we are experiencing.”

Noakes said police would be pursuing “every resource necessary” to find the shooters. There’s “a potential” each of the victims were related, he said.

The chief did not provide a description of the shooters, their car or say what may have led to the shooting.

Anybody with information or footage of the shooting should call Fort Worth police at 817-392-4336.