New info: Little girl shot was only 2, she and father both hospitalized

DOWNEY – The little girl shot Friday afternoon is only 2 years old and is in stable condition, according to police.

The little girl and her 20-year-old father were shot just before 4:30 p.m. in front of an apartment complex on Telegraph Road and Paramount Boulevard after the father got in an argument with at least four men.

The man was hit four times and the little girl has one bullet lodged near her spine.

The father is in critical condition after surgery, and the little girl is stable, according to police reports.

Initial reports from neighbors stated that the girl was 3, but the latest information from police has the girl’s age at 2.

Police believe a group of men were arguing with the little girl’s father when at least one of the men in the group opened fire on the man.

Those familiar with the firefight said the 20-year-old also may have been armed and fired at the group of men.

One suspect has been detained by the Downey Police, and police are still looking for at least three other men.

Those familiar with what happened say a dispute took place at a nearby liquor store regarding graffiti and gangs or tagging crews. The altercation continued after the 20-year-old went into his nearby apartment and retrieved a gun before he was confronted by the men while his family was present.

After the shooting, the girl was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and her father was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.

Downey Police Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this shooting to contact Detective Robert Del Rio at (562) 904-2324 or Detective Steve Aubuchon at (562) 904-2361.