Teen Faces Charges in Zoo Shootings

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” Police are asking that a 16-year-old boy charged with shooting seven young people at the National Zoo be tried as an adult. <br><br>He was arrested hiding behind a water heater in his

Wednesday, April 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” Police are asking that a 16-year-old boy charged with shooting seven young people at the National Zoo be tried as an adult.

He was arrested hiding behind a water heater in his grandmother's home Tuesday night, 24 hours after the gunfire interrupted a black-families-day celebration at the zoo.

The youth, who was not identified because of his age, was charged with seven counts of assault with intent to kill.

``We'll know later today whether or not the U.S. attorney is going to try him as an adult,'' Police Chief Charles Ramsey said on NBC's ``Today.'' ``Right now it looks like he's the lone gunman.''

Cmdr. Peter Newsham told a news conference that authorities are asking for trial as an adult.
Police still are searching for a motive for the shootings. Asked whether the incident was gang-related, Ramsey replied, ``Obviously we still are pursuing that possibility. But to say it right now and confirm it would be premature.''

Ramsey said the youth offered no resistance when arrested. A shotgun was taken from the home but police were still looking for the weapon, believed to be a 9 mm handgun, used in the shootings.

The seven who were shot ranged in age from 11 to 16.

A high-ranking police official said Monday and again early Tuesday that doctors told him the most severely wounded, an 11-year-old boy, was brain dead. Children's National Medical Center said the child was not brain dead and, in fact, his condition had improved and he was responding to care. ``Although the child remains in critical condition, a repeat CT scan of the head continues stable,'' said Dr. Martin R. Eichelberger, director of trauma services at the hospital.

A 12-year-old girl who was shot in the back is hospitalized in good condition. The five others were released from hospitals.