2 Wounded Youngsters Recovering : Gangs: A boy, 5, and girl, 12, were struck by bullets intended for a nearby teen-ager, who wasn’t hurt.

Tyson Quinn’s Christmas stocking hangs on the door of his family’s South Los Angeles apartment. But no matter what Santa brings, Tyson’s parents say they have already received the greatest gift of all--the life of their 5-year-old boy.

Tyson is expected to survive the gunshot wound he suffered Tuesday in a drive-by shooting that was apparently intended for a teen-ager standing nearby. He is in critical but stable condition at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, where he will probably remain until New Year’s Day, family members said.

Also shot was 12-year-old Earlene Still, who has been released from the hospital with a leg wound.

“I was just visiting my grandma and these guys started shooting,” said Earlene, a seventh-grade student at Markham Intermediate School.

While the sound of gunshots may be common in this part of town, the children’s shooting shocked even the most hardened residents of the apartment buildings in the 9300 block of South Central Avenue, neighbors and family members said.

“We never had a kid that young getting shot,” building manager Greg Bowen said.

Tyson was playing in the 60-unit complex’s walled courtyard and Earlene was getting the mail for her grandmother when a lime-green 1977 or 1978 Monte Carlo with gray primer on the hood and right door pulled to the curb and its occupants opened fire on a 15-year-old boy standing on the sidewalk, Los Angeles Police Detective Richard Marks said.

“Three to five shots were fired, and one hit the girl and another struck the 5-year-old in the stomach,” Marks said.

The teen-ager, who was not hurt, told police he did not recognize the car’s driver or passenger, Marks said. “It’s safe to assume it is gang-motivated,” the detective said.

The gunfire quickly drew residents out of their homes. The building manager, Tyson’s aunt and another man rushed the boy--who had the worst wounds--to the hospital.

“I’ve known that boy since he was born,” said Bowen, who carried Tyson into Jerome Henderson’s car and held him during the ride to the hospital. “I thought if we waited around for an ambulance the boy might die.”

Tyson’s aunt, Euridyce Hill, said she kept talking to the boy, who drifted in and out of consciousness. “He loves Batman and I kept telling him that auntie loved him and Batman loved him,” Hill said. “I felt so helpless.”

Police said their only clue so far is the description of the car. The Los Angeles City Council offered a $10,000 reward Wednesday for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the shooting.

“We have a 5-year-old boy in the hospital in critical condition, and we have a 13-year-old who was shot in the leg,” Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas said. “Their Christmas was ruined.”

Earlene’s mother, Michelle Still, said her daughter had been talking excitedly for the last few days about what she wanted for Christmas.

“She wanted Cross Colours,” Still said, referring to a popular line of clothing that combines bright colors with anti-gang slogans. “She didn’t want any bullet hole.”

Michelle Still, 30, said she cannot believe how violent neighborhoods have become since she was a child living in Los Angeles.

“Back then, when the gangs would fight they would tell all the kids to go in,” Still said. “They didn’t do drive-by shootings.”

Tyson’s parents say they are just glad their son will be able to enjoy his new Batman toys. “He’s just a little kid who likes school and wants to have fun,” his stepfather said. “He’s going to be OK.”

Times staff writer Marc Lacey contributed to this story.