RIVIERA BEACH – A 7-year-old boy was killed and his mother was injured while they were sleeping after someone shot into their home early Wednesday, according to city police.
During a press conference Wednesday afternoon outside the apartment building where the shooting took place, north of Blue Heron Boulevard, Riviera Beach Police Chief Nathan Osgood said the shooting was targeted, but it was unclear if the shooter knew there were children inside.
“We have a kid who would have been a future governor, future president, future doctor, lawyer, school teacher or news journalist who is not here today,” Osgood said.
No one is in custody at this time, but Osgood said detectives are working leads from those in the neighborhood and are looking into past incidents. The chief did not provide further details.
Ernest Jenkins first told investigators a toddler was injured after two dogs got loose and attacked the child in October. The issue: Medical findings were inconsistent with his statement, according to a report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff s Office.
Instead, investigators say the 22-year-old pushed the child in the shower after the toddler refused to get in, causing several injuries that eventually led to the boy s death.
Jenkins, who lives near Palm Springs, is charged with one count each of aggravated manslaughter of a child and of child abuse. On Friday, the Florida Department of Children and Families confirmed it is investigating the October death of an unidentified 22-month-old boy in Palm Beach County. Today would have been his second birthday.