2 Mourners Shot at Funeral of Infant
The funeral of a 6-week-old infant ended Tuesday with two mourners being shot by a man who authorities believe was the baby girl’s father.
The victims, identified by police as the child’s 23-year-old aunt and 30-year-old uncle, were taken to Long Beach Community Hospital, where the woman was treated for an elbow wound and the man for a leg injury.
A police spokesman said the motive was unclear. “There were no problems at the funeral until it was over,” said police Lt. Mike Idom.
The shooting occurred at 3:30 p.m., immediately after the end of the service for the child, who apparently had died of sudden infant death syndrome.
Police identified the suspect as Siraj Leyerle, 21, of Long Beach. Leyerle ran from the scene at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Lincoln Avenue with three other men. Idom said one of the three returned to the cemetery and cooperated with police in the search for Leyerle.
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