Baby becomes latest victim of Boston crime wave

BOSTON, Mar 4 (Reuters) A one-year-old girl became the latest victim of Boston's wave of gun violence when she was shot and wounded in the leg as her father carried her into their home, local media reported.

The baby, her 17-year-old father and 19-year-old uncle were taken to hospital after the shooting on Friday, the Boston Globe newspaper reported yesterday. A police official could not immediately confirm the incident.

Boston has been struggling against a surge in gun violence over the past year, much of it fueled by gang activity in poor neighborhoods such as Roxbury, where the latest shooting happened.

Last year, there were 377 shootings reported in Boston, according to police data, a 10.6 percent rise from 2005.

Through February 25, another 41 shootings were reported.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino in January called on the new Democratic-controlled US Congress to stiffen the nation's gun laws to help fight the crime wave.

Reuters DH VP0455