Young Boy Fatally Shot While Playing In Front Yard Of Highland Home

HIGHLAND (CBSLA.com) — Homicide detectives Thursday searched for a person of interest in connection with the shooting death of a young child in Highland.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies were sent to the 7400 block of McKinley Avenue just south of Base Line Street for reports of shots heard in the area.

Upon their arrival, authorities located a 4-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound.

Paramedics transported the victim to a hospital where he later died. Authorities have identified the victim as Daniel Munoz of Riverside.

A preliminary investigation revealed the child was playing with a stuffed animal with his cousins in the front yard of his grandmother's home when the shooting occurred.

Family members say they had gone outside just minutes earlier and noticed two groups of men arguing. Munoz is believed to have been caught in crossfire and was not targeted.

"He was a happy boy. He wanted to go to Knott's Berry Farm. I told him, 'Next time. We could go next time.' We can't take him no more," Yuliana Morales, the child's mother, said.

Morales says she and seven other family members took a trip to the theme park, but because there wasn't enough room in the car, she dropped him off with his grandmother.

About 18 evidence markers were seen in front of the home. Authorities explained several of the markings were for bullet casings.

Authorities said they are searching for a person of interest who was reportedly in a car that the suspects may have been firing at.

"We have a 90s white Toyota Camry four door with black bumpers that was at the scene at the time of the shooting," said Deputy Adam Cervantes. "There was a photograph obtained of a possible passenger in the vehicle, a Hispanic male about maybe 160 pounds, short brown hair."

On Thursday afternoon, paramedics were sent back to the home to treat the victim's grandmother for heart palpitations, however, she did not need to be transported to a hospital.

The motive for the shooting remains unknown.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-8313.