Boy, 9, Critical After Drive-By Shooting

A 9-year-old boy was in critical condition Saturday after a shot fired from a passing car struck him in the head as he bounced a ball near his South-Central Los Angeles home, authorities said.

The boy, whose name was not released, was shot at 7:15 p.m. Friday as he stood on the sidewalk in front of an apartment complex at Wadsworth Avenue and 32nd Street, police Sgt. Pat Findley said. He said the boy was in critical condition at County-USC Medical Center.

A motive for the shooting was unknown and there were no suspects, Findley said.

“It’s pretty tragic when kids can’t even stand in front of their home and play without someone driving by and blowing them down,” Findley said. “It’s insane.”