Two 15-year-old gang members were riding their bikes when they were shot in the upper torso, according to police. A stray bullet also struck an innocent 12-year-old boy attending a family barbecue a couple blocks away.
"The two 15-year-olds are local gang members from our city," said LBPD Lt. Lloyd Cox. The 12-year-old does not appear to have any gang affiliations, nor was he related to the other two victims.
When police arrived, relatives had already taken the 12-year-old victim to a local hospital. Officers then searched the area and found the 15-year-old victims.
The 12-year-old boy was upgraded from critical to stable condition Monday afternoon. The other victims were also in stable condition.
The names of the three boys were not released.
"It's just another example of senseless gang violence, and we all know that the power that the gangs have in this city and other cities across the Southland are as a result of intimidation," said LBPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
"As long as the community is fearful and won't come forward and say who did it or where the gun is, then we end up with more of the same."
Anyone with information was urged to call the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7244.
