Freeway Shooting In California Kills Toddler Asleep in Car Seat

A California mother is mourning the loss of her 23-month-old son who was killed Saturday when a stray bullet flew into a vehicle where he was sleeping.

The tot was sleeping in a car seat inside a white Lexus on Highway 880 in Oakland at 2:10 p.m. ET when the bullet hit him in the head. The baby died later at a hospital, The Sacramento Bee reported, citing California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The CHP had initially determined the child to be 3 years old but his family confirmed that he was 23 months old, the publication reported.

Someone called 911 to report a gunfight between two motorists moments before the tragic incident occurred. The circumstances of the incident suggest that the boy was caught in a crossfire. The deceased boy's family identified him as Jasper Wu, the only child of his mother. "I've got another call in saying there's a child bleeding from the head," CHP officers arriving on the scene were heard saying in an audio recording obtained by ABC 7.

Wu's mother was behind the wheels when the bullet struck him. His aunt told ABC 7 that the child tried opening his eyes. He was rushed to Oakland Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the outlet.

"Evidence collected on the northbound side of the freeway may indicate the victims were not targeted and the child passenger was struck by a stray bullet," CHP detectives told ABC 7.

The family was reportedly driving from San Francisco back to their home in Fremont, California, with three children sitting at the back seat. The incident prompted the closure of the highway for several hours.

Following the tragic death of the toddler, grief engulfed the area. "We heard it was a shooting, an hour later, we heard a child was involved; it's just heartbreaking," Mike, a motorist, told ABC 30.

Oakland City Council member Noel Gallo slammed the regular violent gang activities in the area. "The reality is, this is insanity. I see it every day, gang activity has risen, especially when it comes to little ones, someone's family member, it's unacceptable," ABC 30 quoted Gallo, as saying.