ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester police say a 3-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being shot Wednesday evening in one of the city's most violent neighborhoods.

Investigators say the child was sitting in a parked car outside a store near North Clinton and Clifford avenues when he was wounded by crossfire from two people firing guns. Officers in the area reportedly heard the shots just before 6 p.m. They say around 25 shots were fired.

The boy was struck at least once in the upper body, according to officials, and taken to Rochester General Hospital before being moved to Strong Memorial. The child underwent surgery and is currently listed in critical but stable condition.

When officers arrived at the scene, they say they chased one suspect to a house on Sullivan Street. After surrounding the house, police say they took 34-year-old Travis Lewis into custody. Lewis threw away a 9mm handgun during the chase, according to investigators.

The RPD says officers also chased and captured a 16-year-old boy who was found to be wearing body armor and had a .40 caliber handgun with a substance police believe is fentanyl.

Mayor Malik Evans had strong words in response to the incident.

"This 3-year-old child that was shot because individuals decided even with officers in the neighborhood on patrol, to take out guns, and I can guarantee you they are illegal guns probably — because that has been the theme this year, the use of illegal guns, to do whatever it is they wanted to do to each other for probably some asinine reason and in the crossfire is a 3-year-old child," said Mayor Malik Evans.

Police say the 16-year-old suspect was arraigned on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. They say he was taken to the Monroe County Children's Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Lewis was arraigned Thursday morning in Rochester City Court on charges of first-degree assault, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child, investigators say. Prior to Wednesday's shooting, officials say Lewis had been awaiting sentencing that had been delayed following a conviction in a shooting on Dove Street in January 2021. The department says Lewis also had convictions in 2007 and 2005 which led to the current charge of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.