WASHINGTON -- Police are asking that a 16-year-old boy charged with shooting seven young people at the National Zoo be tried as an adult.

He was arrested hiding behind a water heater in his grandmother's home Tuesday night, 24 hours after the gunfire interrupted a black-families-day celebration.The youth, who was not identified because of his age, was charged with seven counts of assault with intent to kill.

"We'll know later today whether or not the U.S. attorney is going to try him as an adult," Police Chief Charles Ramsey said on NBC's "Today" program. "Right now it looks like he's the lone gunman."

Cmdr. Peter Newsham told a news conference that authorities are asking for trial as an adult.

Police still are searching for a motive for the shootings. Asked whether the incident was gang-related, Ramsey replied, "Obviously we still are pursuing that possibility. But to say it right now and confirm it would be premature."

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Ramsey said the youth offered no resistance when arrested. A shotgun was taken from the home but police were still looking for the weapon, believed to be a 9mm handgun, used in the shootings.

The seven who were shot ranged in age from 11 to 16.

A high-ranking police official said Monday and again early Tuesday that doctors told him the most severely wounded, an 11-year-old boy, was brain dead. Children's National Medical Center said the child was not brain dead and, in fact, his condition had improved and he was responding to care. "Although the child remains in critical condition, a repeat CT scan of the head continues stable," said Dr. Martin R. Eichelberger, director of trauma services at the hospital.

A 12-year-old girl who was shot in the back is hospitalized in good condition. The five others were released from hospitals.

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