Mother begs witnesses to help solve killing of 7-year-old son

Sawan Mock could barely speak Tuesday morning as she pleaded for someone to come forward with information about the fatal shooting of her 7-year-old son.

“I know somebody had to see something,” she sobbed.

Police on Tuesday said they had no eyewitnesses and few clues in the killing of Taalib Pecantte, who was shot at more than 20 times while sitting in a car Dec. 2 in the 1900 block of South Corning Street. He died from his injuries a day later.

HOMICIDE REPORT: Tracking killings in L.A. County

A $50,000 reward has been announced in the killing.

Mock, 28, had just returned from a coin laundry about 9 p.m. with a 31-year-old male friend when three to four men unleashed a barrage of gunfire directed at their car, said Lt. John Radke.

“We know that these men then went to a waiting car,” Radke said.

Radke said the attackers were probably gang members and that at least two gunmen shot at the child and two adults in the car. Police said Mock and her friend received graze wounds.

“This is a completely senseless act,” he said.

LAPD Det. Rolando Rodriguez asked for any and all tips, and urged even people who have heard a rumor to call.

“That rumor could give me something,” he said.

City Councilman Herb Wesson said he planned to ask the council to increase the reward amount to $75,000.

“Somebody saw something,” he said.

Mock said she knows there are witnesses.

“When did it become OK to start shooting kids?” she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide at (213) 382-9470.

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Twitter: @nicolesantacruz | @latimeshomicide

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com