Jul 17, 2008 12:25 pm US/Eastern
Teen Shot In Baltimore County Park
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
A young woman fights for her life after she's shot in a Baltimore County park and somehow walks a mile to get help.
Sally Thorner reports the mystery surrounding this shooting deepens as police try to determine why the woman was in the park, who was with her and whether this is an isolated incident.
Bloody clothing and personal items belonging to the victim were found along a path leading to Lake Roland in the scenic Robert E. Lee Park. The evidence is proof that an 18-year-old woman was shot and possibly sexually assaulted around 5 a.m. Wednesday.
"When the officers got there they found a half-dressed 18-year-old female who appeared to have a gunshot wound," said Corporal Mike Hill, Baltimore County Police spokesperson.
The victim stumbled more than a mile on foot to reach Falls Road. She got help from the night shift working a Falls Road convenience store.
"I'm sorry it happened, and I hope the young lady is OK," Jane Schultz said.
There are a number of unanswered questioned in this on-going investigation. For instance, police don't know where along the roadway the victim was wounded and how many people were involved.
Police can't get many answers now because the victim is in and out of consciousness. She's critical but stable at Sinai Hospital.
Among the unanswered questions: What was she doing in the park after hours? Was anyone walking with her? Did she know her attackers? While police look for answers, park goers think twice about their serene retreat.
"Well, this is a beautiful area. I come here all the time, bring my grandchildren here all the time. Sort of makes you a little nervous," Herb Kornblit of Baltimore said.
"But who knows, it's a wooded area. You don't know who's crawling around here late night or early morning," Doug Wards of Fells Point said.
Some of those questions should get cleared up as soon as the victim, whose name has not been released, regains consciousness.
The park is still considered safe, but if you see or hear anything suspicious, you're asked to call police immediately.
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