CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston police have identified the victims in a shooting last week involving a baby.
Jalynn Stephenson and Rico Whiting were shot last Thursday at around 7:45 p.m. at Stadium Place near Laidley Field in Charleston.
Police are looking for Trashawn “Tray” Mills, 20, of Charleston. He’s been charged with two counts of malicious wounding.
Lt. Steve Cooper, chief of detectives with the Charleston Police Department, said on Mayor Danny Jones’ show “580 Live” Tuesday morning they believe Mills fired shot and the two victims who were walking with a baby in a stroller.
“The couple was actually pushing a baby stroller at the time of the shooting. The baby was not injured,” Cooper said. “We found a bullet hole in the stroller.”
According to police, the victims ran up the steps to Huron Terrace carrying the baby. Whiting collapsed before they could get to a neighbor.
Whiting was shot in the backside. Stephenson was shot in the hand. Both suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The baby was taken into the custody of Child Protective Services.
Cooper said he believes Stephenson was targeted because she was a witness in a separate murder case. He said Mills was allegedly with a relative of Antonio Williams, 24, during a 2016 shooting on the city’s West Side. Williams is set to go on trial for the murder of Shannon Cade, 20.
Police previously arrested Marland Clark, 19, in connection with the Stadium Place shooting. Clark is charged with being a “prohibited person in possession of a firearm.”
Now, authorities need the public’s help with locating Mills. Cooper said he is considered armed and dangerous.
“He’s been identified as the shooter. We’re looking for him now,” Cooper said. “Anyone who may know where he’s at, an anonymous call would even suffice. We need to get this guy locked up.”
To report information to Charleston police, call 304-348-6480 or dial 911.