Boy, 5, Injured in Shooting by Suspected Gang Members

Suspected gang members shot and slightly injured a 5-year-old boy as he stood in front of a North Hollywood house with relatives, Los Angeles police said Friday.

Three suspects were arrested.

The shooting occurred in the 5200 block of Harmony Avenue shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday night, Officer Jeff Godown said.

The boy was standing near the porch with several relatives when a gunman approached on foot and fired about three rounds of birdshot into the group, striking the child once in the hand, he said.

The boy was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.

Police said the gunman had argued with a member of the boy’s family earlier that evening and was actually attempting to shoot him and not the boy.

“The child wasn’t the target,” Godown said.

Officers traced a car, found several blocks from the shooting scene, which was allegedly used in the gunman’s escape.

Police recovered a shotgun and arrested Jaime Ortiz, 21, and Carlos Morales, 20, both of North Hollywood, and a 15-year-old on suspicion of attempted murder.