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$75K Reward Announced In Shooting Death Of South LA Toddler

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The Los Angeles City Council approved a $75,000 reward Wednesday for information leading to the conviction of whoever fired the shot that killed a 22-month-old boy in the arms of his uncle, who was critically wounded.

Joshua Montes and uncle Josefat Canchola were on a porch facing a backyard in the 1200 block of East 55th Street about 8:30 p.m. Monday when they were shot, police Capt. Mark Olvera said. Both suffered head wounds.

The shots were fired from the east side of Hoover Street, about 40 yards away, police said. Detectives don't believe the boy and his uncle were targeted.

"These people obviously have no regard for human life," Perry said, calling for the suspects to turn themselves in. "To kill a baby who was defenseless in the arms of his uncle is something that defies any kind of logic. There's no explanation. There's no justification for this."

Canchola, who is in his 30s, is hospitalized in critical condition, Perry said.

Several bullets went through a vehicle and passed through two fences, hitting the child and his uncle.

Anyone with more information about the shooting was asked to call Olvera at (323) 846-6547, or the department's anonymous tip line at (888) LAPD-24-7.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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