LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police are continuing their investigation after a young boy was fatally shot in the Phoenix Hill neighborhood on June 27.
The shots that claimed the life of the 12-year-old boy happened in the 500 block of South Shelby Street around 10:30 p.m.
Officers found the boy and tried life-saving measures at the scene, but he later died at the hospital.
The Jefferson County Coroner identified the victim on Tuesday as Justin Johnson.
"I have two daughters myself close to that age I couldn't imagine," Blare Robinson said.
Robinson has lived in the apartment complex for nearly four years. He describes the area as friendly, making violence rare to come by.
He still can picture the yellow crime scene tape from last week.
"Just to see a 12- or 13-year-old die is sad, so I slept on that and woke up with it as well and it's still a little alarming," Robinson said.
Robinson is now more cautious of his surroundings. He was outside walking his dog close to an hour before the shooting happened.
"I saw the group 45 minutes before. Just seeing how young they were and taking that into account is crazy," he explained.
Robinson also said his apartment complex has considered heightened security measures since the shooting.
Will Pitts, founder of Shoot Balls Not Guns is concerned about the 12-year-old's death.
"To hear about that is very disturbing and it makes me angry," Pitts said.
It makes him and Robinson wonder how the youth are getting access to firearms, younger and younger.
"This is a 12-year-old kid, you know. What possibly could a 12-year-old be wrapped up in to lose their life?" Pitts said.
Pitts and Robinson are keeping Johnson's family in their thoughts and prayers.
"I think it was very unfortunate."
He's hoping Johnson's family will eventually get the justice they need.
Anyone with information is asked to call LMPD's anonymous tip line at (502) 574-LMPD (5673) or use their online portal.
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