East Bay 9-year-old hit with gunfire remains in critical condition

ANTIOCH — A 9-year-old boy remained hospitalized Tuesday while recovering from at least one gunshot that injured him Sunday when gunfire erupted at a smoke shop, police said.

The boy underwent surgery to repair the injuries but remained in critical condition at a hospital, Antioch police Lt. Bill Whitaker said Tuesday. His long-term prognosis remained in question, but a police statement on the incident said the boy was expected to survive.

Police arrested a 17-year-old boy who turned himself into police headquarters later Sunday. Whitaker said the teen is suspected of attempted murder with weapons enhancements and that the case has been submitted to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

That teen remained at Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall. Whitaker said the teen is a “few months” away from turning 18 but did not say whether authorities will consider charging him as an adult.

Whitaker called the 9-year-old a “completely innocent victim.”

“He was at the shop, because his uncle owns it,” Whitaker said. “He was in the back room playing.”

The shooting at the smoke shop in the 300 block of Sunset Drive happened about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Whitaker said the 17-year-old suspect and another adult customer in the shop knew each other and had a history of conflict.

Whitaker said eventually, the 17-year-old pulled a gun and fired it “in the middle of the shop at this person he had an ongoing beef with.”

The other customer at whom the shots were fired escaped without injury. Not so, the 9-year-old, who was hit while in the back room.

Police and medics treated the boy at the scene, before an ambulance took him to a hospital. Police added that they are still investigating and anyone with tips could contact them at tips@antiochca.gov.