Pacific Division

“Heartbreaking”: Stray Bullet Strikes Sleeping 8-Year-Old Boy in Head

Rounds were fired inside the home at about midnight, according to police

An 8-year-old boy was in critical condition Monday morning after a stray bullet struck him in the head as he was sleeping at his family's home and police were searching for the gunman, authorities said.

About 10 rounds were fired from inside the home just before midnight in the 1000 block of Wagner Street in the Del Rey area, sending the boy to surgery, police said.

The boy was listed in critical but stable condition at noon Monday. His father had tried to shield him from the gunfire, after the gunman entered the residence just before midnight Sunday and began arguing with family members, police said.

The father "went to his son's room, shielded his son, and unfortunately his son was struck by gunfire," Sgt. Frank Preciado, who described the injury as "heartbreaking."

It was unclear what the argument was over or if family members who were in the home knew the gunman, Preciado said. The suspect fled the home and has not been caught.

The boy's father told police the gunman had his face covered, possibly with a bandanna and hooded sweatshirt.

The shooting left neighbors on edge.

"It's uncomfortable to know that there are guns and gunshots and killings in your own neighborhood," Diane Smith said.

NBC4's Asher Klein contributed to this report. Refresh for updates.

Contact Us