City offers $50,000 reward in shooting of 10-year-old Boyle Heights girl

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department is offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of whoever shot a 10-year-old girl in the head in Boyle Heights.

The girl, identified only as Alyn, was playing outside on June 10 with her sister at the intersection of Chicago Street and Rogers Avenue when she became collateral damage in an attempted gang-related hit.

"The little girl was outside with her sister when a car drove by and fired several shots at a bicyclist riding near the girls. The 10-year-old girl was struck in the head and collapsed," Councilman Jose Huizar said.

Alyn was rushed to a hospital and managed to survive. Her father, Juan Carlos, thanked God and praised the hospital at a news conference on Thursday.

Detectives are currently searching for eight men who drove in two cars - a 2005 black Toyota Camry and a white 2001 Chevrolet Impala.

"As we all know, it is very difficult to be a witness, but we know that there's people out there that know, that have information, that will be willing to help us out," LAPD Lt. Manny Santoyo said.

Police said that witnesses reported that the suspects laughed as they fled the scene. Detectives said that it shows just how dangerous these criminals are.

"Well typically in these types of instances when somebody is simply harmed, we give a reward for $10,000, $20,000, but in this instance when we saw it was so dangerous, the city council felt it was necessary to allow us to give out this $50,000 reward," Huizar said.

There has been a recent spike in gang violence in Boyle Heights, according to police.

They said that the family has no involvement with gangs and the victim and her sister were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The intended target was not harmed.