While Girl, 7, Remains On Life Support, Her Family Lashes Out At Suspects
PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — While a 7-year-old girl remains on life support and brain dead, her family Friday angrily lashed out at two brothers accused of shooting her in the head.
Jesus Alberto Peralta, 22, and 19-year-old Carlos Peralta, both of Palmdale, made their first court appearance Friday but did not enter a plea.
Both men were charged with one count each of willful, deliberate and premeditated murder in connection with the September 4, shooting of Desirae Macias.
Macias was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles and placed on life support following a car-to-car shooting. Because the little girl is declared brain dead, the men can be charged with murder.
KCAL9's Crystal Cruz was the only local reporter invited to sit down with the Macias family and discuss their pain.
Macias' aunt, Alicia Galvan was shown video of the Peralta brothers facing a judge for the first time in this case.
"They look perfectly fine ... like the don't regret it. It's really sad because they are 19 and 22 and they're barely starting to live life," said Galvan.
The two men are accused of shooting at the car that Macias was riding in with her family. The girl's mother's boyfriend reportedly got into an argument with the suspects at a Mobil gas station. The suspects are accused of chasing the family after the confrontation and firing into their vehicle.
"They should have thought about what they were doing, before they did it," says Galvan.
The girl's aunt told Cruz that the shooting happened very quickly but that Macias tried ducking down in the backseat.
A third man -- identified as 20-year-old Eduardo Diaz of Little Rock -- was arrested along with the brothers but not charged.
The family doesn't understand why Diaz was not charged.
"Why? Why? Why wasn't he charged? He was there he should be charged," Galvan said.
The DA's office would not tell Cruz why they declined to file murder charges against Diaz.
Meanwhile, Friday evening a large prayer vigil was held outside the Macias family home.
Even though doctors have told the family there's little chance of survival, the child's aunt is hoping that's not true.
"We're not giving up until God wants to take her. It's up to him," says Galvan.
The Macias family says they will be in court when the Peralta brothers are arraigned on September 20.
The Good Times So. Cal Car & Bike Club is hosting a benefit car wash Saturday, September 7 at Sammy's Mexican Restaurant (44139 Sierra Hwy, Lancaster, 93534 ) from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Macias family.
