The city of Lancaster, California, was shaken by a shooting on the evening of December 15, 2023, which led to the death of four-year-old Gor Adamyan. The incident occurred at around 7:30 pm in the 44600 block of Sierra Highway.
The vehicle of Byron Burkhurt, 29, and Alexandria Gentile, 27, both linked to gangs, forcefully cut off the Adamyan family’s car. A subsequent pursuit ensued and the suspects’ vehicle pulled up beside the family’s car, after which the driver opened gunfire on the family’s car. Gor, seated in the back seat, was hit in the upper torso.
The child’s parents rushed him to the nearest hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The parents were unharmed physically in the incident.
The Lancaster Sheriff’s Department swiftly apprehended Burkhurt and Gentile, who were later booked at the Los Angeles County Jail on murder charges.
The city’s deployment of Flock Safety automated license plate recognition technology was pivotal in the rapid location and arrest of the suspects, demonstrating its value in combating crime.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris expressed his grief and shock at the event, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of such incidents and praising the city’s technological advancements in crime fighting.
The incident is reflective of a disturbing national issue of gun violence affecting young children. Data from the Gun Violence Archive indicates that this year, shootings have resulted in the deaths of over 280 children 11 years old and younger.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate this case and encourages anyone with information to contact its Homicide Bureau.