An 8-year-old boy who was part of a gathering with family and friends was shot and killed Monday evening in a drive-by shooting at a Pomona home.
The shooting happened about 6:35 p.m. in the 1100 block of West 11th Street, Pomona police said. A couple -- a man and woman who are both teachers -- were entertaining the boy and his family inside of their home when someone opened fire from a car.
"It appears it was a family gathering with friends, having a good time, minding their own business," said Sgt. Bert Sanchez of the Pomona Police Department.
Neighbors said a black car was seen traveling down the street and bullets started flying. The child was inside the home, and it appeared he was hit by a single bullet between the living room and the kitchen, Sanchez said.
The victim -- who was identified by police as 8-year-old Jonah Min Hwang -- died at a hospital, according to police. The boy did not live at the home, but was visiting with family members and several other children were in the residence, Hernandez said.
A motive for the shooting was unknown. Investigators said the family of the child and the couple of the house have no reason to have been targeted and do not have any ties to gangs.
"As a parent, as a longtime police officer in this community, this is right up there with some of the more senseless acts of violence that we see as police officers," said Pomona police Lt. Eddie Hernadez said. "We're definitely going to investigate this the way we would any other investigation, but keep in mind a family lost an 8-year-old little boy today, and if there's anyone out there that knows anything, any suspect information, any details whatsoever, however small they might be, we would appreciate that.
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"This definitely can't go unpunished."
Detailed descriptions of the shooter or vehicle were not immediately available. No arrests were reported early Tuesday.
Anyone with information was asked to call Pomona police at 909-620-2085. Tipsters also can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
