16-Year-Old in Life-Threatening Condition Following Shooting at His House

In Springfield, Missouri, a front porch shooting interrupts a five-year old's birthday party. Shots were fired on the porch of a house located at 716 West Chicago on Sunday, March 21, 2010. Springfield Police say the suspect came to the front door of the house, and shot the 16-year-old victim when he opened the door. Police say the suspect shot the victim at close range, in the doorway. Inside the house was the victim's five-year-old brother and four other five-year-olds, all gathered for a birthday party for the victim's brother.

Scanner traffic called the police in to respond to a victim with shots to the head. Police would not confirm where the victim was shot. They did release that the victim was suffering from life-threatening injuries.

Police say the victim and suspect both were students at Hillcrest High School, and that they knew each other. The police knew of the suspect from previous incidents. The suspect reportedly left the scene on foot. At last check, he was at large.

There was a witness to this crime. According to neighbor, Dan Frayling Sr., the family was having the birthday party for the five year old when the suspect walked up on the front porch. The boy's brother answered the door. Frayling told Springfield Police, "(The teen) came on the porch. (He) knew who this was. Next thing I know, the dude pulled out a pistol and shot him." Frayling reported hearing four shots ring out and that is when he called 9-1-1.

A mother of one of the children attending the party, Tonia Reese said she received a phone call about the shooting and came over to pick up her son. She said she learned the children at the party were okay during that phone call.
There is no word yet as to the status of the victim's condition