A 12-year-old boy who died in a Canyon Country shooting was mortally wounded when a gun he and another juvenile were handling went off unintentionally, sheriff’s officials said Thursday.
The gunfire occurred about 6:30 a.m. Nov. 6 in the area of Sand Canyon and Placerita Canyon roads, according to the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff’s officials said Thursday that investigators have determined the boy was with another unidentified juvenile and they were “manipulating a firearm when it unintentionally discharged, causing grave injury to the victim.”
The boy who died was later identified as William Lemus Ayala, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, according to the county Department of Medical Examiner.
The name of the second juvenile at the scene was not released due to the person’s age.
Sheriff’s officials said their investigation will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for review to determine if any charges are warranted.
Anyone with additional information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Tipsters may also use the website lacrimestoppers.org.