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Norwalk boy, 7, calls 911 and saves his family

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Authorities were hailing a 7-year-old Norwalk boy as a hero Tuesday after he hid in a bathroom and called 911 as three armed attackers burst into his home and threatened his parents.

During the harrowing emergency call, the child pleaded with Los Angeles County sheriff’s dispatchers to send help.

“Can you come really fast? Please! Please! . . . They have guns. They shoot my mom and dad,” the boy said, according to a copy of the 911 tape released by authorities.

The incident began about 8:30 a.m. when the three suspects, armed with handguns, stormed through an unlocked door and said they were going to take what they wanted, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The boy hid in the bathroom with his 6-year-old sister and locked the door.

“There’s some guy who’s going to kill my mom and dad,” he told the emergency dispatcher. “Can you come, please?

“Bring cops . . . a lot of them! . . . And soldiers too,” the boy said. He told the dispatcher that he thought his parents had been shot.

The attackers broke into the bathroom and found the boy. At that point, screaming is heard on the 911 tape.

Authorities said one of the suspects grabbed the boy and asked who he called. “911,” the boy responded, according to the department.

The suspects fled without injuring anyone or taking any property, authorities said.

“If not for the brave and educated actions of the 7-year-old boy, this might have ended tragically,” said Capt. Pat Maxwell. Authorities declined to identify the family.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (562) 863-8711.

andrew.blankstein@latimes.com

robert.lopez@latimes.com

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