Boy Held in Shooting Death of Sister : Violence: Youngster, 14, is arrested on suspicion of murder. The 7-year-old girl died from a bullet wound to the head shortly before baby-sitter arrived.

A 14-year-old Paramount boy was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his 7-year-old sister, sheriff’s deputies said.

The girl, Angela Herrera, was killed Friday by a bullet to the head from a .357 magnum revolver that the children’s father kept in a closet of their home, deputies said.

The boy’s parents, Jorge and Felicitas Herrera, had left for work and he had been left to care for the girl and two smaller brothers until a baby-sitter arrived, authorities said. The shooting, which took place about 6:30 a.m., occurred moments before the sitter arrived.

Deputies first reported that the shooting was apparently accidental, but after interviewing the boy and reviewing evidence they arrested him.

“Detectives determined that the 14-year-old shot his sister. The interview and physical evidence led them to believe this was a criminal act as opposed to an accident,” homicide Lt. Frank Merriman said.

He did not elaborate.

Merriman said the boy, whom he would not identify because of his age, would be booked at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. The case is expected to be filed with the district attorney’s office Monday.

Merriman and Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, noted that while youths of this age are increasingly being arrested in connection with violent crimes, most incidents involve gang disputes. No statistics were available for the number of youths booked on suspicion of homicide in cases of domestic violence.

Angela was pronounced dead on arrival at Charter Suburban Hospital in Paramount at 7 a.m.

Neighbors living in the small stucco bungalows in the 8400 block of East 70th Street reported hearing a single gunshot and a scream around 6:30 a.m.

After the shooting, neighbors said they found the 14-year-old, sitting on the front porch of the home, holding his two brothers, ages 9 months and 3 years.

“He was crying. All he said was that his sister had been shot. He was very upset. He appeared to be in shock,” said Ginger Coffman, 23, a neighbor.

Jorge Herrera, 35, described the tragic event as a nightmare.

“I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what (the boy’s) purpose was,” Herrera said.

He lamented that his work schedule kept him from spending more time with the youth.

The 14-year-old was recently suspended from Paramount High School after a confrontation with his teachers, Herrera said.

Herrera said he kept the gun unloaded on a closet shelf and stored the bullets separately. It was not clear if the gun had been locked up.

Herrera said he works 13 to 14 hours a day as a shipping clerk at a Paramount company that sells oil-drilling equipment.

He said his wife usually cared for the children, but recently started working at the same company.