A 14-year-old East Baltimore girl was in critical condition today at Johns Hopkins Hospital with a bullet wound of the neck she received last night after an acquaintance asked her, "Can you catch a flying bullet?" just before he shot her.

Nicole Jackson, of the 1900 block of N. Chester St., was admitted to the pediatric trauma unit about 6:30 p.m., a hospital spokeswoman said.

City police said they are looking for a 15-year-old resident of O'Donnell Heights.

Police said the Jackson girl had gone next door to visit a friend about 6 p.m.

While there, police said, the 15-year-old boy who was acquainted with both girls came to the house. While the resident went into the kitchen, Ms. Jackson and the boy stayed in the living room and talked.

The resident said she heard the boy ask, "Can you catch a flying bullet?"

Then, she told police, she heard a shot. She ran into the living room and saw the girl on the floor.

"I shot her. .T.T. I didn't mean to do it," the youth reportedly said before fleeing the house.