9-Month-Old Baby Shot To Death While Mother Pushed Him In Stroller

A 9-month-old baby was fatally shot in front of his mother while the little boy was being pushed in a stroller down a street in California. The mother ran with the child to a nearby McDonald's to ask for help before he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooting unfolded Wednesday afternoon in Merced while the mother and her boyfriend were walking the baby down a street in his stroller. The baby was identified as Darius King Grigsby, according to Action News 5.

Grigsby was struck when shots were fired from a vehicle passing by.

"Someone in a vehicle drove by and shot the infant in the stroller," Lt. Joseph Perez was quoted as saying by Merced Sun-Star.

The Merced Police Department responded to a call of the shooting just after 12:30 p.m.

"Officers responded to the McDonad's nearby because that's where the mother ran with the child," Perez added.

The little boy sustained critical injuries and died.

"Responding officers located a 9-month-old boy and his mother inside of the establishment. The infant was suffering from a fatal gunshot wound and unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene," the Merced Police Department said in a statement posted on Facebook Wednesday night.

It is believed that at least three shots were fired during the incident. However, nobody else was injured apart from the child.

Police searched for witnesses and also tried to retrieve surveillance footage as the investigation into the shooting is underway.

"This investigation remains ongoing, and no suspects have been identified at this time," the police department added.

Officials also urged the public to come forward with any information that could help with the shooting investigation.

"This happened at a busy time of day," Perez said, adding, "If there's anybody out there that saw something that the police didn't speak to if they can reach out to the police."

Several people commented on the police department's post about the baby's tragic death.

"This world is so incredibly broken. My complete heartfelt condolences to the family. What a senseless tragedy," said one user while another added, "Oh my heart is breaking for the mother. So sad to see this. That poor baby."

"I was driving by and saw the paramedics rushing with the infant trying to save him," stated a user. "I hope whoever did this suffers tremendous amounts of pain and torture mentally and physically. It's disgusting. As a parent myself it makes me even more angry."