Boy, 2, Critically Wounded by Gunfire During Drug Deal

Gunfire erupted during a roadside drug deal in Palmdale, critically wounding a 2-year-old boy who was being kept alive Tuesday on a life-support respirator.

The boy’s father and uncle were also hit by gunfire during the Monday night shooting.

Deputy Eric Smith, a spokesman for the county Sheriff’s Department, said the shooting occurred as Raymond Reyes, 27, and his brother, Tommy Reyes, 26, were “conducting a narcotics transaction.” Smith did not know what kind of drugs were involved or whether the Reyes brothers were buyers or sellers.

Adrian Reyes, the son of Raymond Reyes, was hit by a stray bullet that lodged in his brain, Smith said. The boy was in critical condition at Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles.

Tommy Reyes was treated for a minor wound and released from Palmdale Hospital Medical Center. Raymond Reyes was taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center, where he was listed in serious but stable condition with a gunshot wound in the right shoulder.

Police were searching for the gunman who opened fire on the Reyeses near 50th Street East and Avenue N in Palmdale. Smith said the gunman was last seen driving a Chevrolet pickup truck with collision damage on its right rear bumper. The license plate on the truck is 1N38170.