In a distressing event in Lancaster, California, four-year-old Gor Adamyan lost his life during a road rage shooting on Friday evening, December 15, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m. The incident took place in the 44600 block of Sierra Highway.
The circumstances unfolded as the vehicle of the suspected assailants, identified as 29-year-old Byron Burkhurt and 27-year-old Alexandria Gentile, both reportedly linked to gangs, aggressively cut off the family’s car in traffic. Following a pursuit through several streets, the suspects’ vehicle pulled up beside the car carrying young Gor Adamyan and his parents, Meri Adamyan and Levon Tantushyan. The driver of the suspects’ vehicle opened fire, striking the child, who was in the back seat, in his upper torso.
The parents drove their son to a nearby hospital, but despite their immediate actions, Gor was declared dead at the medical facility. The parents did not sustain any physical injuries during the incident.
The Lancaster Sheriff’s Department, responding promptly to the situation, arrested Burkhurt and Gentile. They were detained and booked at the Los Angeles County Jail, facing murder charges.
The city’s recent adoption of Flock Safety automated license plate recognition technology proved instrumental in locating the suspects’ vehicle.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris voiced his shock and sorrow over the tragedy, remarking on the unimaginable nature of the incident and its potential to affect any family. He highlighted the critical role of the city’s crime-fighting technology in the swift apprehension of the suspects.
The tragic event is part of a larger, concerning trend of gun violence involving young children in the United States. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that, in this year alone, over 280 children aged 11 or under have been victims of fatal shootings.
As the investigation continues, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with relevant information about the incident to contact its Homicide Bureau.
