Possible Gang Shooting Kills 4-Year-Old in Altadena--Town Want's Answers

A 4-year-old boy was killed and a 27-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by shooting in Altadena, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported today.

The gunman drove up to a home in the 300 block of Figueroa Drive, just east of the Foothill (210) Freeway, at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and opened fire, a sheriff's statement said. Both of the victims, who were sitting on the porch of the home, were struck, it said.

Both were taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, according to a deputy at the sheriff's Altadena Station. The boy, identified as Salvador Esparza III, died, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

The man -- who deputies described as a family friend not related to the child -- remained hospitalized with injuries that are not life-threatening, Deputy Trina Schrader said.

A sheriff's detective said the boy was not a target.

At least 13 rounds were fired, according to reports from the scene.

The suspect was described as a man driving a dark or black car. The sheriff's department said it has not been determined if the shooting was gang-related.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to contact the sheriff's department at (323) 890-5500 or, anonymously, Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

This story will be updated. Please refresh this page for more information later in the day.

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City News Service