12-year-old sitting in family car shot in gunfight at park, California cops say

Gunfire from an unrelated dispute in a parking lot at a California park struck a 12-year-old boy, seriously injuring him, police reported.

The boy was taken to a hospital in critical condition following the shootout at about 4:15 p.m. Friday, April 4, the Ontario Police Department said in a news release.

He underwent emergency surgery, police said. No updates on his condition were available.

The child was hit while sitting in the back seat of his family’s vehicle at Veterans Park after an argument between two men in the parking lot turned violent, police said.

The two drew firearms and began shooting at each other, police said. Bullets from the gunfight struck the boy, who was not involved, according to police.

Damian Marquis Berry, 25, of Victorville, and Anthony Dionte Erwing, 35, of Los Angeles, were arrested in connection with the incident, police said.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call detective Gabe Gutierrez at 909-408-1632.

Ontario is about a 40-mile drive east from Los Angeles.

This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 10:22 AM with the headline "12-year-old sitting in family car shot in gunfight at park, California cops say."