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Teen convicted in babys shooting death

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COMPTON, Calif. — A teenager was convicted today of murder and attempted murder for fatally shooting a 14-month-old boy and wounding the toddler’s father.

The Compton Superior Court jury deliberated about 1 1/2 hours before finding 16-year-old Donald Ray Dokins guilty of first-degree murder for the June 4, 2012, shooting death of Angel Cortez, along with the attempted murder of his father, who was shot in the shoulder, said Deputy District Attorney Danette Gomez.

Jurors also found true gun and gang allegations against Dokins, who was 15 at the time of the crime but was charged as an adult.

The baby was in the arms of his father — who had no gang affiliation — as he stood with a group of people when the shooting occurred on Hickory Street near 105th Street about 7:50 p.m. in Watts, according to police.

Doctors were unable to save the boy, who underwent surgery and was declared dead at 10:20 p.m.

The next day, the boy’s father, Mauro Cortez, went before television news crews and reporters to ask for the public’s help in finding the shooter, who rode up on a bicycle and fired numerous shots before riding away.

The Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles Kings each offered $50,000 rewards for information leading to the assailant’s arrest and conviction.

Los Angeles police arrested Dokins about three weeks later.

He is facing about 100 years to life when he returns to court for sentencing May 28, according to the prosecutor.

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