Boy, 7, Killed by Gang Suspects Firing at Rivals

A 7-year-old boy was killed in a drive-by shooting Saturday night in Boyle Heights in what police characterized as a gang attack that claimed the wrong victim.

Arnulfo Contreras, who was standing outside his home in the 200 block of North Soto Street, was shot from a passing car containing an unknown number of suspected gang members, said Los Angeles Police Detective Larry Martinez. The gang members apparently were firing at members of a rival gang who were standing nearby.

Arnulfo was taken to County/USC Medical Center soon after the 5:30 p.m. incident, where he died. No one else was injured, police said.

“It was another tragic situation where someone was hit with a bullet . . . intended for someone else,” said Police Sgt. Bob McCrary. “Obviously, this little 7-year-old wasn’t the object of that hate. It’s just one of those tragic things that seem to be going on nowadays.”

Police said there were a number of witnesses to the shooting, which occurred near a McDonald’s restaurant, and authorities believe they have a good chance of finding suspects.

“If the interviews go according to plan, we hope we’ll have somebody identified soon,” Martinez said.