12-Year-Old Boy Shot During Dispute

VAN NUYS — A 12-year-old boy was shot in the chest Friday when he and several older youths got into a dispute with another group, police said.

Fedceo Montaragon was in serious but stable condition Friday, said Sgt. John Schiffner of the Van Nuys division of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The boy was in the courtyard of his apartment building in the 14000 block of Rayen Street about 2 a.m. with three friends, ages 17, 18 and 19, Schiffner said. The group argued with a 20-year-old man, who was also with three companions, and chased after the 20-year-old, who fired one shot from a small pistol, striking Montaragon. The gunman fled on foot, Schiffner said.