Toddler in Maryland shot, killed; young mother hospitalized: police

 A 3-year-old boy was shot to death and his young mother was fatally wounded at a Maryland apartment complex, police said.

The Prince George's County Police Department confirmed to FOX 5 that the incident happened around 5:35 p.m. Thursday near the Bedford Station Apartments in Langley Park, Maryland.

Prince George's County Assistant Police Chief Vernon Hale III said at a news conference that officers responded to the scene when they heard shots fired in the area.

When they arrived, they found a mother and a boy, both of whom had been shot.

Paramedics soon arrived and took the boy to Children's National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

D.C. to mother He was taken to hospital where he is in stable condition and his injuries are not life-threatening.

Hale said the department is using all of its resources to locate the individuals responsible for the crime.

FSU Professor's murder-for-hire conspiracy, grandmother's attempt to flee the country busted, lawyer may lose his life in legal twist

"That kid didn't do anything to anybody... He didn't deserve to die because somebody wants to come here and play with guns," Hale said. "Bullets come and they have real consequences. I can only pray they weren't trying to kill a kid. A kid died, a mom got shot! That kid was a future PG police officer. "Will not be able to become or live his best life."

The assistant police chief encouraged the community to immediately go to police if they know anything about the alleged murder.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and those around this community who had to witness this," Hale said. "Somebody in this community knows who did this. I'm asking each and every one of you to contact your friends and family. This is not about sneaking, this is about justice for the victims. "

The department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.