5-year-old boy shot in Pinedale recovering in the hospital

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Just before midnight Wednesday, Fresno Police responded to the Pinedale neighborhood with reports of six gunshots and a child caught in the crossfire.

An investigation is now underway after a five-year-old child was shot outside a home in a neighborhood on Pinedale and College Avenues.

"Officers arrived, they confirmed that there was a child struck by gunfire," says Sergeant Diana Trueba Vega.

The boy was shot once in the forearm and rushed to Valley Children's Hospital.

Police tell Action News he was awake and in the front yard along with some family members at the time of the attack.

Hank Rubio Jr. lives nearby. He says he saw two people walk up to the family and begin shooting before running down the street.

"They're coming from that way, walking down the street. They stopped at the house and started shooting. I thought they were shooting up in the air. Sometimes, kids come up there and start shooting up in the air. There were kids out there, they started running. I guess they hit one of them," says Rubio Jr.

An investigation is ongoing as police search for a motive and possible suspects.

The neighborhood is filled with families, now left startled.

Sgt. Vega says this terrifying incident is a stark reminder of the innocent victims that can get caught up in street violence.

"It is definitely frightening as a parent to hear about an incident like this. For community members that might think that their actions don't affect somebody that is innocent, this is a perfect example that it can happen," says Vega.

The boy is still in the hospital, but we're told he is doing very well. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time and they believe this to be an isolated incident.

Investigators are asking anyone with any information to come forward and contact the department.

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