Girl Shot and Killed While Watching Fireworks

Police search for gang members who started shooting at rivals Sunday night, but instead fatally shot a 14-year-old girl who was watching Fourth of July fireworks.

Spent fireworks litter the 1,300 block of South Toberman street in the Pico-Union district just west of downtown, where a Fourth of July celebration was underway Sunday night.

There were so many bangs and explosions, say residents, that some of them didn't not realize that a bullet had just hit 14-year-old Daisy Garcia under her arm.

Witnesses say a group of suspects rode up on bicycles, then there was gunsmoke mixing with the firecracker gaze and then Daisy Garcia crumpled to the ground.

"One of the suspects fired rounds and actually hit the young woman. She was transported to a hospital and she was later pronounced there," according to Officer Cleon Joseph of the L.A.P.D.

Rampart detectives believe the shooting was gang related and that the suspects were aiming for someone who was standing near Garcia.

Whoever it was escaped unharmed, with the intended bullet hitting the girl instead.

Anti-gang detectives are now tying to identify which gang or gangs the shooters were from.

On Monday a shrine grew in the narrow walkway across from Garcia's apartment, in the middle sits a graduation photo of the 14-year-old smiling, a mortar board cap on her head.

Garcia's Step father, Gerardo Perez has been trying to comfort younger members of the family and friends who have been arriving all day to pay their respects.

Their Independence Day celebration now forever tarnished, by an ugly memory.

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at (213) 484-3400 or (877) LAPD-24-7. All tips can be made anonymously.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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