Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Man Charged with Murder in Road Rage Shooting that Killed 4-Year-Old Boy in Lancaster

By Cindy Von Quednow

A man has been accused of murder in connection with the tragic killing of a 4-year-old boy who was shot during a suspected road rage incident while sitting in the back seat of his family’s car in Lancaster last week, according to authorities.

The suspect, 29-year-old Byron Burkhart, is also facing two counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle, and five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, as stated in the criminal complaint obtained by CNN.

Reports indicate that Burkhart was traveling with his girlfriend on December 15 when he allegedly cut off a vehicle carrying the young boy and his parents on the 44600 block of Sierra Highway. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a news statement on Tuesday, highlighting the incident.

According to the district attorney’s office, Burkhart engaged in aggressive driving maneuvers and road rage, leading him to pull up next to the family’s car. He then reportedly fired eight shots into the vehicle, tragically hitting the child.

The boy was struck once and immediately rushed to a hospital. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries. Thankfully, his parents escaped the incident unharmed.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the child as Gor Adamyan.

Gor, described as a vibrant young boy with a bright spirit, has touched the hearts of many. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his grieving family during this difficult time.

On the day of the shooting, Gor’s parents were on their way to buy groceries when the tragic encounter occurred, according to the fundraiser.

Organizers of the fundraiser expressed their grief, stating, “On that fateful day, as Gor’s parents were en route to purchase groceries, an encounter with a suspect driver escalated into an unthinkable tragedy.”

The district attorney’s office mentioned that a camera in the family’s vehicle was able to capture the license plate of Burkhart’s vehicle, leading to his identification as a suspect in the case.

Following the incident, both Burkhart and his girlfriend were arrested. However, the girlfriend was later released after prosecutors determined that there was insufficient evidence to charge her, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Mike Gomez.

Burkhart is currently being held on a $2 million bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on January 22, as per county inmate records. If convicted of the charges, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, Burkhart’s spokesperson Dana Boldt stated that they will provide a vigorous defense and hold the district attorney’s office to the burden of proof.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón expressed his condolences, saying, “Our hearts ache for the tragic loss of a young life in such a devastating and senseless act of road rage. A family is facing unimaginable pain during what should be a joyous time this holiday season.”

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