Man in Critical Condition After Mistaken Shooting
An 18-year-old man was in critical condition Tuesday with a gunshot wound to the head after he was mistaken for a gang member on a darkened Inglewood street, authorities said.
Onesimo Leos of Inglewood remained in the intensive care ward at an undisclosed hospital after the 9:51 p.m. attack Sunday near Hardy Street and La Brea Avenue, said police Sgt. Larry Kirkley.
Leos and two other young men were using a pay telephone when two males approached and asked, “Where are you from?”--a common gang challenge.
It was unknown what if anything the victim or his companions said in response, but one of the strangers pulled a handgun and fired at least once, striking Leos in the head.
Lt. Alex Perez said neither Leos nor his friends were known gang members.
“It appears as though they were targeted because of their age and style of dress,” he said.
Investigators continue to search for the gunman and his accomplice but have few leads.
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