Three teenagers were taken into custody on Wednesday for their involvement in a shooting incident that resulted in injuries to a mother and her infant in South Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Police Department has identified the male suspects as two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old.
According to authorities, the teenage suspects are accused of carrying out a gang-related shooting that specifically targeted two young mothers and their infant children.
On June 5, two women in their twenties had driven to a hamburger stand near the intersection of 81st Street and Avalon Boulevard at around 5:30 p.m. Accompanying them were two infant girls, aged 8 months and 1 year.
While the four victims were sitting in their car, the suspects arrived at the burger stand’s parking lot in a gray Kia sedan with Texas license plates. Armed with handguns, they approached the victims’ vehicle.
The suspects opened fire on the women, discharging multiple rounds and hitting one woman in the leg and a 1-year-old girl in the foot.
Law enforcement officers who responded to the incident found several casings of 9mm and .45 caliber ammunition at the scene. Surveillance footage aided the police in identifying the three juvenile suspects.
Detectives later determined that the suspects had mistakenly targeted the victims, believing them to be members of a rival gang.
All three suspects were apprehended on Wednesday and are facing charges of attempted murder. The case has been referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Individuals with any information regarding this case are urged to contact the 77th Street Area Gang Impact Team at 323-786-5414 or the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
