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Authorities offer $55,000 reward to find killer of Anaheim girl

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Anaheim authorities Thursday offered a $55,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot and killed a 9-year-old girl while she played outside her home.

Ximena Meza was fatally shot Wednesday about 7:15 p.m. outside her apartment in the 2300 block of West Greenacre Avenue near the Brookhurst Community Park, said Lt. Bob Dunn, a spokesman for the Anaheim Police Department. She was struck at least once.

She died at 7:56 p.m. at the UC Irvine Medical Center, according to the Orange County coroner.

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Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quezada and city officials approved a $50,000 reward, Dunn said. The Anaheim Police Assn. also offered $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

It’s not known if the shooting was gang-related, Dunn said, but a gang in the neighborhood “claims” the area.

One witness, River Hernandez, told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that he saw Ximena’s father holding her after the shooting, screaming and “begging to God that she lived.”

Quezada and investigators with the Anaheim Police Department were expected to meet with neighbors to discuss the killing Thursday night. Officials were expected to provide an overview of the incident and status of the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS, www.occrimestoppers.org, or text OCCS and your tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips can be anonymous.

For breaking news, follow @AdolfoFlores3.

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