A Los Angeles community has been left reeling after a 14-year-old boy was brutally gunned down outside a gas station while his mother worked inside.
The shocking incident, which police are treating as a targeted attack, occurred on Tuesday evening at a Chevron station in the Crenshaw district.
A Mother's Unimaginable Horror
According to investigators, the victim's mother was on duty inside the station's convenience store when she heard the fatal gunshots that claimed her son's life. The boy, identified as Javier Pedraza Jr., was sitting in a car parked at the station when the assailant approached.
Los Angeles Police Department Captain Kelly Muniz stated: "This appears to be a targeted incident. The suspect walked up to the vehicle and fired multiple rounds into the car, striking the victim."
Hunt for the Gunman
Authorities have released a description of the suspect, who remains at large. The gunman is described as a male wearing a black hoodie and dark-coloured trousers, who fled the scene on foot after the shooting.
Detectives are examining surveillance footage from the gas station and surrounding businesses in hopes of identifying the perpetrator.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood, with local residents expressing outrage and sorrow over the senseless violence.
One community organiser told reporters: "This is every parent's worst nightmare. A child should be safe waiting for their mother to finish work. We need answers and we need justice for this family."
The investigation continues as police urge anyone with information to come forward.
