LOS ANGELES – A six-year-old boy is in critical condition after being hit by a stray bullet while watching Fourth of July fireworks with his family in South Los Angeles.
According to Officer Rosario Cervantes of the Los Angeles Police Department, the incident occurred at 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday in the 700 block of East 40th Place.
Witnesses at the scene informed reporters that the boy’s family was hosting a Fourth of July party, and while they were enjoying the fireworks, the child suddenly collapsed after being struck by an object that had fallen from the sky.
Upon realizing the severity of the situation, the boy’s mother initially attempted to drive him to the hospital. However, she later sought assistance from police officers who were in the area.
The officers promptly called for paramedics. After investigation, the police determined that the boy had been hit by a stray bullet in either his head or upper body.
During Fourth of July celebrations, it is unfortunately common for gunfire to occur, with individuals disregarding the warnings from authorities about the dangers of firing weapons into the air.
Officer Cervantes mentioned that there is currently no information regarding the identity of the shooter.
The family has identified the injured child as six-year-old Bryan Ivan Robles Jr. When speaking to reporters, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Our school community is devastated to hear that one of our youngest students, an elementary school child, was struck by a stray bullet on the Fourth of July.
What does freedom truly mean to us if it is distorted to permit widespread gun violence instead of embracing the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that our founding fathers envisioned?”