The young boy killed in a shooting in Orange County earlier this week has been identified by family members as a “loving, protective and bright” teen.
A group of four juveniles were shot on Monday night in the 400 block of South Susan Street in Santa Ana, according to local authorities. Three of the four — aged 14, 15 and 16 — were struck by gunfire and taken to local hospitals.
They are all expected to survive. None of them have been identified.
The youngest of the group, a 13-year-old, was shot in the upper torso and pronounced dead at the scene by first responders, police said.
While officials did not provide the decedent’s name, he was identified in a GoFundMe as Adrian Torres.
In the fundraiser set up to help lay Adrian to rest, the organizer, Adrian’s aunt, described her nephew as “a loving son, a protective older cousin and a bright, kindhearted boy.”
The proceeds from the fundraiser will go to ensuring he has a proper burial in a place where “his parents and loved ones can visit him, mourn, and remember the beautiful soul that he was.”
“Adrian…never got a chance to fight for his life,” the GoFundMe reads. “Our family is grieving this unimaginable loss. We are humbly asking for your support during this incredibly difficult time.”
Click here to donate.
Per a Santa Ana Police Department media release, the shooting appears to be gang-related. No information on a suspect or suspects was immediately provided.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call SAPD Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390. Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.
The post Family identifies 13-year-old killed in O.C. shooting: ‘A bright, kindhearted boy’ appeared first on KTLA.