MESA, AZ — The uncle of the children injured in a drive-by shooting in Mesa Friday is offering up a cash reward to help find the shooter.
On Friday, seven people, including four children ages one, six, nine, and 16 years old, were shot while in a parking lot near Guadalupe and Dobson Roads.
According to the family, the 1-year-old child has died from his injuries Sunday.
"Unfortunately the 1-year-old male victim succumbed to his injuries this afternoon," Nik Rasheta with Mesa police later said in a statement.
Sunday, family and friends of the children sat in silence and prayer outside of Banner Health's Cardon Children's Hospital, awaiting any news on the health of the children. A vigil with candles in the shape of a cross and bible verses written onto poster boards were created outside the hospital.
Candles are in the shape of a cross with posters of bible verses surrounding. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/zhv61WVKLd
— Adam Waltz (@Adam_Waltz) October 18, 2020
The children's uncle, Luis Osuna, said the one, six, and 16-year-old are brothers, and the nine-year-old is their step-sister.
"I'm really hurt. I'm really hurt," said Osuna. "We got a family, a destroyed family. It's really sad, this is really sad."
Osuna said he is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who has information about the shooter.
"I would like to tell [the] Mesa community we need help to catch this guy [for] what he did to our family," said Osuna. "We really need to catch this guy."
"We are destroyed. It’s difficult to speak," said Ignacia Duran an aunt to the children. "There’s been a lot of family friends that have helped us through this. With prayers. They are giving her support. But we are here all day and all night."
Mesa police say the other six victim's conditions vary in severity but are expected to survive.
The food stand "Sabor A Mi," that hosted the pop-up event on Friday, says two of their employees were also shot in the incident
They have set up a GoFundMe account, to help with the medical expenses of the victims. To donate, click here.
Police say the suspect's car is a boxy, white or silver SUV much like a Kia Soul.
Mesa Police is asking the community for any information about the shooters that may lead to an arrest. If you have any information, please contact the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or at Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-343-TIPS.
