Toddler struck in face with shrapnel while attending memorial in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. - A 3-year-old boy from San Leandro was injured by shrapnel that flew into his mother's car, striking him in the face during a shooting Wednesday night in Oakland, police said.

The shooting was reported about 9:40 p.m. in the 1600 block of 80th Avenue, police spokeswoman Johnna Watson said. She said the boy was in stable condition on Thursday morning. 

"This is a very serious matter," Oakland Police Department Deputy Chief LeRonne Armstrong. There are no suspects in custody.

The boy and his family had been attending a memorial for 18 -year-old Derick Alexander who was shot and killed outside an East Oakland mini-mart two weeks ago. Alexander was the cousin of Oakland Mayoral Candidate Ken Houston.

The motive for Wednesday night's shooting is unknown. "We don't believe it was necessarily connected to the memorial, but we are investigating," Armstrong said. 

The mother drove the child to Highland Hospital in a car that had a bullet hole in the windshield, video at the scene shows. Witnesses reported hearing 20 shots. Armstrong said one round struck car and shrapnel from the car hit the boy's face.

The toddler has since been moved to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland. Armstrong and colleagues went to visit the child about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Armstrong carried a stuffed animal that he was going to deliver to the boy. 

The Oakland Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward of up to $5,000.00 for anyone who has information that leads to an arrest in this case.
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