Unjustified violence of any type is appalling, but it is especially tragic to note the shooting of a 13-year-old girl near Bennett Avenue in Chattanooga on Saturday night. The circumstances are unclear, but a witness indicated that Keoshia Ford had said she was being chased. Moments later, she was shot in the head and chest.
At this writing, she was in critical condition, and no arrests had been made.
Was she caught in some kind of crossfire? Was gang violence to blame? We don't know yet.
"All I know is that my baby's fighting for her life," said Keoshia's father, Michael Ford.
Meanwhile, a man died in a separate shooting Saturday on Fagan Street.
We offer prayers for Keoshia and for the families affected by such violence, and we hope justice will be done in each case.