Community Rallies to Help Family Mend After Shooting

It was just an old sofa, one that had probably gone through plenty of wear and tear.

Maybe it was time for the dark, floral-covered couch--stains and all--to be replaced. But not this way. Not at the cost of a little girl getting hurt.

As movers carried away the piece of furniture Saturday, a family hoped it could erase the events of the last week.

Six days had passed since a 9-year-old girl was sitting in the living room of a Dronfield Avenue house when a .45-caliber bullet tore through the front wall, ripped the couch and entered her back. She was hospitalized for several days before returning home Wednesday.

On Saturday, a local furniture company donated and delivered a new sofa, and volunteers repaired damage to the house while a community struggled with its burgeoning gang problems.

“We are trying to get the family to put the physical issues behind them and the sofa is a reminder of what happened last week,” said City Councilman Alex Padilla, who was joined by Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) at the family’s house.

“Thank god, the girl is recovering,” he said. “This community refuses to be a victim and they have come together to help the family.”

A flurry of activity has occurred since the girl was struck by the stray bullet believed to have come from a gun battle between rival gangs.

Police have offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman. About 50 area residents attended a community meeting on Thursday at Hubert H. Humphrey Park and asked for a stronger police presence. Apparently, their voices were heard. Police announced Saturday they plan to staff an officer at the park soon.

Padilla considers the park, which has been plagued by violence in the past, a test case for a $14-million city program that aims to improve neighborhood parks and introduce youth activities.

But it may take more than a city program to give the residents the protection they seek. Just one look into the girl’s eyes will tell you that.

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As cameras rolled and reporters asked questions, the young victim had a difficult time comprehending why she was shot. Although she is only 9, she wasn’t blind to what is happening around her.

“I think about making the world a better place because gangs are fighting,” she said softly. “I’d like for them to go to another place.”

But city officials and police concede gang activity probably will not disappear. There have been other shootings here and residents are worried about their safety.

The street where the shooting occurred sits adjacent to an elementary school and only yards away from the park. Houses on the street look like any others that are socked in by socioeconomic strains. Most are mini-fortresses barricaded with bars on both windows and doors.

Although the family appreciated the kind deeds by the community, they were wary of the publicity. As is common in gang shootings, the victims fear retaliation.

Police and city officials gave reassurances that this neighborhood will be a safe one.

“What residents can count on is an increased police presence,” Padilla said. “Things will get better.”