Boy, 3, Hurt in Shooting on Freeway

A 3-year-old boy shot in the head while in a car on the Pomona Freeway remained in critical condition Friday as sheriff’s deputies continued to search for suspects.

Andrew Monroy was wounded Thursday night while riding with his two brothers and their father, Thomas Simental, 23, of Los Angeles.

Simental was shot in both hands but not seriously injured. Sheriff’s officials said Simental is a gang member, and court records show that he is on probation for shooting from a car.

The shooting is being investigated as a gang-related incident, according to Deputy Bob Killeen.

Andrew’s brothers, a 7-year-old and a 4-month-old baby, were not injured. The group was shot at while getting off the westbound freeway at Atlantic Boulevard in Monterey Park about 9:50 p.m. Thursday.

Simental drove the Chevrolet Suburban to the nearby East Los Angeles sheriff’s station on East 3rd Street.

Deputies in the parking lot provided first aid before paramedics took Simental and Andrew to County-USC Medical Center.

Simental was treated and released, while Andrew underwent surgery Thursday night. The bullet, which struck Andrew in the temple, was lodged between the boy’s scalp and skull, but did not penetrate the skull, Killeen said.

Killeen and hospital officials said that Andrew was stabilizing, although he remained in the intensive care unit.

Simental’s family declined to speak to the news media.

Killeen said investigators do not yet know what prompted the shooting. At least three shots were fired at Simental’s car from a metallic green Dodge van, Killeen said. Investigators do not know how many passengers were in the van, he said. Simental was released after questioning Friday morning.

According to court records, Simental pleaded guilty to two felony firearms violations in 1995, including shooting from a motor vehicle, and is on probation.

The incident was the second gang-related roadway shooting Thursday. About 7:40 a.m., a 21-year-old man was killed in a car-to-car gun battle on Central Avenue near a ramp to the Century Freeway.