Two 13-year-old boys shot in St. Pete were targets of neighborhood dispute, police say

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Two 13-year-old boys were shot in front of a St. Petersburg convenience store Monday afternoon.

Police said the shooting happened on the 1400 block of 22nd St. South.

On Tuesday, police said the two teens were targeted due to a neighborhood dispute.

Police said the shooter left in a 4-door white sedan, and the two shooting victims were taken to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Maress Scott said the shooting hit too close to home.

"From a dad who lost a child, when you have a kid who is a victim of gun violence, everything changes, your whole life changes forever…and I guarantee this is going to impact their family forever, as well as our community," said Scott.

His son, Marquis Scott, was shot and killed while riding his bike back in 2019, only blocks away from the shooting that occurred on Monday.

"Now these kids are going to have trauma, now their parents are going to be doubly worried when they are out…so the whole dynamic of the family is going to change," said Scott.

St. Pete Police are asking gun-owners to make smart choices.

"If a child gains access to a weapon, who is to say what's going to happen…so that's why its important now as residents and gun owners its important for everyone to lock their firearms, keep them out of your vehicle," said Ashley Limardo who works with the St. Pete Police Department.

Since the death of his son, Scott started an organization called "Quis for Life Inc.,' which educates youth about gun violence.

"We need to be proactive in our school systems and the rest of our systems that our housing our kids when they are away from home," said Scott.

According to St. Petersburg Police, one of the victims from Monday's shooting was in critical condition.

This is a developing story. Stay with ABC Action News for updates.