7 teens, 2 younger kids shot at gas station

All in hospital with injuries not seen to be life-threatening.

Nine people, all under the age of 18, were shot and injured Friday at a Columbus gas station, police said.

The incident happened at a Shell station along Warm Springs Road shortly after 10 p.m.

Police said a large group was gathered there when gunfire rang out.

All nine people were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to police.

The victims were a 5-yearold boy, a 12-year-old boy, two 13-year-old girls, a 13-year-old boy, a 14-yearold boy, two 15-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy.

Authorities have not said why the group was at the gas station or what exactly may have led to the shooting.

No information on a suspect has been released, but police confirmed that an arrest had not been made as of Saturday morning.

“The rash of gun violence involving our youth is impacting communities across the country,” Columbus police Chief Freddie Blackmon said.

“While Columbus is not immune to these incidents, I want to assure citizens that the men and women of CPD are tirelessly working to get violent offenders off our streets.

“It is going to take a community effort to combat gun violence in our city. The entire village has a responsibility because incidents like this impact all of us.”

No further details were released by police, but a news conference was planned for later Saturday.

In metro Atlanta, at least five teenagers were shot this weekend, as of early Saturday.

Three teens were injured in a shooting in Brookhaven on Friday evening, police said.

Authorities noted that those involved in the shooting appeared to have known one another prior to the incident.

In southwest Atlanta, two teens were shot near an event space after the business was closed for the night, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Anyone with information on the shooting in Columbus is asked to call Detective E. Rosado at 706- 2253162. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online.