NORTH HOLLYWOOD -- Police are searching for a suspected gang member who tried to shoot and kill a 9 year-old girl playing in the backyard of her North Hollywood home.
Detectives say the girl was playing by herself in the yard of her home in the 7800 block of Troost Avenue on July 27 at about 6:45 p.m. when someone opened fire.
The suspect, identified as a male Hispanic with a shaved head and a lip piercing, was driving a black sedan through the alley where the girl was playing and stopped his car. Witnesses say he looked directly at the girl, made eye contact, and fired four to six rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at her. Three or four other men were inside the car with the gunman.
Though several of the shots came within inches of the child, she was shaken but not injured, detectives told news reporters.
The crime has outraged the community and detectives alike.
'We do believe the suspects are gang members based on the type of shooting, the manner of dress and the targeting of this young lady, " Detetive John Weiler told reporters. "Our investigation so far has led to no information that the victim's family is anyway connected to gangs," Weiler said.
Police are hoping someone knows something about the shooting and can help identify the gunman.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call Foothill Major Assault Crimes Detectives, Detective Hector Guzman at (818) 834-3115. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877- LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.
Detectives say the girl was playing by herself in the yard of her home in the 7800 block of Troost Avenue on July 27 at about 6:45 p.m. when someone opened fire.
The suspect, identified as a male Hispanic with a shaved head and a lip piercing, was driving a black sedan through the alley where the girl was playing and stopped his car. Witnesses say he looked directly at the girl, made eye contact, and fired four to six rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at her. Three or four other men were inside the car with the gunman.
Though several of the shots came within inches of the child, she was shaken but not injured, detectives told news reporters.
The crime has outraged the community and detectives alike.
'We do believe the suspects are gang members based on the type of shooting, the manner of dress and the targeting of this young lady, " Detetive John Weiler told reporters. "Our investigation so far has led to no information that the victim's family is anyway connected to gangs," Weiler said.
Police are hoping someone knows something about the shooting and can help identify the gunman.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call Foothill Major Assault Crimes Detectives, Detective Hector Guzman at (818) 834-3115. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877- LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.
