ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A 17-year-old girl was shot multiple times in downtown Rochester on Sunday morning, leaving her hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

Rochester Police say the victim and a group of friends were at the Liberty Pole around 6 a.m. when they got into an argument with another group of people. The other group left the area but then came back and the arguing continued. That’s when police say the teen was shot at least once in the upper body.

“Pretty much… my sister got shot three times in her chest. And I don’t know if she’s going to make it,” said Jacob, who identified himself as the victim’s brother. He watched the whole thing happen.

“They came up and they shot her, like, three times pointblank, like five feet away from her,” Jacob said.

Dwayne Walker and Jamar Higgins are cousins who catch the bus and hang out at the Liberty Pole often. They can’t believe this happened where it did.

“I always hear about other stuff going on in other parts of town. But when it comes to down here, things rarely happen,” Walker said.

Both Walker and Higgins believe that more needs to be done to connect to the youth. They think outreach should include adapting to a new generation.

“A podcast for the youth. Have teens come, reach out, speak and talk about their experiences, what they’re going through, some goals up for these kids. That would be a good idea,” Walker said.

“I feel like lack of communication leads to altercations or arguments that maybe to fights or death or violence or drama or trouble. I feel like with just a conversation or just talking to one another and getting the understanding and putting pride to the side,” Higgins said.

But until then, people like Jacob will continue to live with what he saw Sunday.

“I feel traumatized. I don’t know what I’m going to do if she passes away,” Jacob said.

RPD currently has no suspects in custody.

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Photos from the scene: