PALMDALE, Calif. — A 7-year-old girl remained on life support today following a car-to-car shooting in Palmdale, while authorities identified three people arrested in connection with the gunfire.
The shooting occurred near Sunburst and Stratford drives around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, shortly after two groups exchanged words at a Mobil station at Pearblossom Highway and Fort Tejon Road, according to sheriff’s Lt. Glenn Brandon.
Sheriff’s deputies said one group followed the other away from the Mobil station, and shots were fired at several locations, Brandon said.
The girl was hospitalized in extremely critical condition. Family members, who identified the girl as Desiree Macias, said she had been shot in the head and was expected to be taken off life support at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
A sheriff’s deputy later stopped a vehicle matching one that was involved in the shooting, and three men were arrested, he said. All three were booked on suspicion of attempted murder.
They were identified as 22-year-old Jesus Peralta of Palmdale; 19-year-old Carlos Peralta, also of Palmdale; and 20-year-old Eduardo Diaz of Little Rock. They were each being held in lieu of $1 million bail, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Diane Hecht. Jesus and Carlos Peralta are brothers.
Brandon said detectives found evidence at at least three shooting scenes, and shells were found at 57th Street and East Avenue S. Evidence was also collected near Regency Place and Essex Drive, he said.
Anyone with more information was asked to call sheriff’s deputies at (661) 272-2400. Tipsters can also call L.A. Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPs.
All tips can be made anonymously.
