Crime
7-year-old Eli Thomas shot and killed at a home in Lancaster
A firearm was recovered at the scene of the shooting.
A 7-year-old boy, identified as Eli Thomas, was tragically killed in a shooting incident that occurred Thursday evening at a home in Lancaster.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that Thomas was visiting a friend’s house on Dahlia Street when he was fatally shot.
Paramedics attempted to revive him at the scene, but he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
The county Department of Medical Examiner is conducting an investigation to determine whether the shooting was a homicide or an accident.
No arrests have been made, and while foul play was initially not suspected, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Investigators are actively interviewing individuals and gathering evidence.
A firearm was recovered at the scene of the shooting.
Crime
Father 19-year-old Gabriel Huerta killed his 9-month-old boy, before shooting himself in Pima County
On November 5, 2024, at around 5:00 p.m., deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Foothills District responded to a distressing call about suicidal threats in the 5500 block of North Shannon Road.
The caller reported that 19-year-old Gabriel Huerta had made alarming statements about self-harm to family members before leaving his home with his 9-month-old son in a red Ford Fusion, with his intended direction unknown.
Deputies were informed during their search that Huerta may be armed and had reportedly expressed intentions of harming both himself and his child.
Soon after, Huerta’s vehicle was located near Himmel Park, close to North Tucson Boulevard and East Hawthorn Street.
Deputies took strategic positions around the area, eventually locating Huerta. Despite repeated commands, Huerta fled on foot into a nearby alley.
Shortly after, deputies heard multiple gunshots from the alley’s direction.
They immediately located Huerta, who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as well as his infant son, who had also been shot multiple times.
Deputies performed emergency life-saving measures on both Huerta and his son using Individual First Aid Kits until paramedics arrived and assumed care.
Both were transported to a local hospital, where, tragically, the infant later succumbed to his injuries. Huerta remains unresponsive and in critical condition.
The investigation is being led by detectives from the Pima County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit, with support from the Robbery and Assault Team, Domestic Violence Unit, and Crimes Against Children Unit.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted with a K9 unit to search for additional evidence, such as projectiles and casings. The case remains active, and further updates will be provided as the investigation develops.