PICTURED: A 6-year-old boy who was critically injured by a stray bullet that struck him in the head during Fourth of July festivities in South Los Angeles
- Bryan Ivan Robles Jr. was struck in the head by a stray bullet Tuesday night
- The boy reportedly fell to the ground without saying a word to his family.
- The boy was unconscious when paramedics arrived and in critical condition.
A six-year-old boy was seriously injured after a stray bullet struck him in the head while celebrating the Fourth of July with his family in South Los Angeles.
The family of Bryan Iván Robles Jr. said he fell to the ground after something from the sky ‘hit’ him around 9 p.m. while they were watching the fireworks.
When paramedics arrived, the boy was not conscious or breathing and police said Bryan was in critical condition Wednesday morning.
Footage taken Tuesday night showed the boy’s family talking to police along with neighbors as police officers investigated what had hit the boy.
Local media at the scene reported that many eyewitnesses said they could not tell the difference between gunshots and fireworks during the festivities.
Bryan Ivan Robles Jr. (pictured) was seriously injured after a stray bullet struck him in the head while celebrating the Fourth of July with his family in South Los Angeles.
The family of Bryan Iván Robles Jr. said he fell to the ground after something from the sky ‘hit’ him around 9 p.m. while they were watching fireworks.
Bryan’s family said he was standing in his front yard in the 700 block of E. 40th Place when the bullet struck him in the head.
His uncle identified him as the victim and told him ABC 7 he is the youngest of four children.
According to his family, his mother saw him fall to the ground and began frantically rushing him to the hospital before paramedics found her and took over.
The ambulance took him to Dignity Health California Hospital.
Neighbors said they were saddened by the news but not surprised.
‘If he lives, he will not be the same. But if he doesn’t, you understand… well, what I’m saying. God willing, the child will live no matter what happens,” José Cortez, a neighbor and family friend, told the outlet.
Cortez said her own daughter plays with the boy on her street.
Another neighbor described Bryan as a playful child.
In fact, we saw it long before the accident happened. He was helping his mom sweep up the fireworks. She’s crazy,’ said Jossie Cortez.
Bryan’s family said he was standing in his front yard at E. 40th Place when the bullet struck him in the head. Pictured: The front yard of the family’s South Los Angeles home.
Bryan (pictured as a baby) is the youngest of four children, his uncle said.
‘If he lives, he will not be the same. But if he doesn’t, he understands…God willing, the child will live no matter what,” said José Cortez (pictured).
Neighbor Katie Finell said the gunshots and fireworks were “unlike anything she’d ever heard”
Katie Finell, whose girlfriend lives in the area, described the scene as chaotic, saying the gunshots and fireworks were “unlike anything I’ve ever heard.”
Another neighbor who did not share his name with the station said the problems are not new to the area.
Sometimes a lot happens here. There have been shootings… he’s pretty crazy here I can tell that,’ the person said.
‘I’ll be praying for the family,’ said neighbor Lee McElroy FOX 11.
‘People need to stop using guns on a holiday like this. I see people on New Years using weapons like fireworks, but that’s not right,” McElroy said.
Neighbors described the boy as playful and said he was helping his mother prepare for the Fourth of July.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made in the case.
Police are investigating the situation as a case of assault with a deadly weapon.
Police officers do not believe the incident is gang related.
