14-Year-Old Girl Becomes Unintended Victim

Los Angeles: A 14-year-old girl sitting in her family’s car became an unintended victim of what Detective’s believe was a gang shooting.

On May 26, 2008, at about 3:10 p.m., the 14-year-old victim was sitting at a red light in her family’s SUV at the intersection of Avenue 64 and York Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle that was stopped at the same light, next to the family’s car, had become involved in a dispute with the suspect, a 16-year-old juvenile gang member, standing on the sidewalk at the intersection.

The suspect pulled out a handgun and shot at the driver he had been arguing with, a 33-year-old man. The man was shot multiple times and drove away from the location. He ultimately stopped a couple of blocks away from the shooting where help was summoned for him. He was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Tragically, one of the rounds fired by the suspect went through the rear window of the family’s SUV, hitting the young girl in the head as she sat in the left, rear, passenger seat of the SUV. She had been declared brain dead and died the following day, May 27, 2008 at about 3:00 p.m.. The girl’s 7-year-old brother received minor injuries from flying glass. He was treated and released.

After the shooting the driver of the SUV pulled into the Rite-Aide Parking lot located at the southwest corner of the intersection. Within hours of the shooting and after a comprehensive search of the area, the juvenile suspect was taken into custody. Detectives also believe they have recovered the weapon used in the shooting. The suspect’s name is not being released due to his age. He was booked for attempt murder and is being held without bail at East Lake Juvenile Hall. The charge will be upgraded to murder now that the female victim has died.

Anyone with information is asked to call Northeast Homicide Detectives L. Burcher or L. Lenchuck at 213-847-4261. During off-hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).