Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 10, 1994                   TAG: 9401100073
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

CROSS-FIRE TAKES LIFE OF TODDLER

Sharon D. Tanner, 2, was shot about noon Saturday in her mother's apartment, Charlottesville police said.

Two men entered the apartment, and an argument broke out with a man inside, Detective James Kirby said. Sharon, who was sleeping in her bedroom, woke up when she heard the argument and ran out into a hallway.

A bullet struck the girl in the chest and she died at the scene, said Dr. Eric Speakman, medical examiner.

This was the first time a small child was killed in a shootout in Charlottesville, although such incidents are increasingly common in larger cities, Charlottesville Police Chief John Bowen said.

"You hope it doesn't happen; you're shocked when it does," Bowen said, "but it doesn't really surprise us . . . Nothing that goes on in D.C., Richmond or New York doesn't happen here; it just happens less often."

Neil C. Harvey, 22, of Miami was injured in the shooting. He was in good condition Sunday at the University of Virginia Hospital, spokeswoman Anissa Payne said.

Kirby said the department is looking for two suspects in the shooting, which appears to be drug-related. Police do not know exactly what weapons were fired in the apartment, Kirby said, but they appear to have been handguns.

The shooting appears to be connected to a shooting in the same area Friday night that left two men injured, Kirby said.

Injured were Stephen L. White, 30, of Charlottesville and Robert Wilson. Both men had leg wounds. They were in good condition Sunday at UVa Hospital, the hospital spokeswoman said.

In an unrelated case, Benjamin U. Bellamy, 37, was fatally stabbed around 11 p.m. Friday. He died early Saturday at UVa Hospital, Speakman said.

Police have a suspect in the stabbing, whom they arrested Saturday night on an unrelated charge, Detective B.A. Bibb Jr. said.

No charges had been filed Sunday in any of the three incidents, said Sgt. David Pleasants.

Keywords:
FATALITY