National City, Calif. — A somber plea echoed through the community as the family of a 12-year-old boy, tragically killed in a late-night party shooting, called for help in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The incident, which transpired in an abandoned house in National City, also left four others injured.
During a recent press briefing held outside the local police headquarters, the devastated family of Elijah Smith sought to channel their grief into action. His sister, Oakley Smith, flanked by their mother, Sofia Alvarez-Smith, emphasized the collective loss suffered. “We just want justice,” Oakley stated. “For not just him. There were five victims.”
According to the police, the fatal shooting occurred around 11:50 p.m. on Friday in a property situated on N Avenue near 8th Street. Over 100 individuals, predominantly teens and young adults, were present at the scene when authorities arrived. The ensuing chaos required reinforcements from neighboring police departments to manage crowd control and secure the area. No suspects had been apprehended as of Sunday.
The family revealed that they were unaware of how Elijah ended up at the event, stating his presence at such a gathering was out of character. His mother, who was out of town during the incident, recalled her last interaction with her son with heartrending clarity. “We said bye to each other. I told him to ‘be good, stay home’,” she recounted, pain evident in her expression.
Elijah, described as an “innocent soul” by his family, was a seventh grader at Lemon Grove Academy Middle. Known for his attempts to make others smile, his untimely death has left his loved ones grappling with an overwhelming sense of injustice and sorrow.
In the wake of the shooting, local authorities suspect that the gunfire followed a physical altercation between two groups at the party. Efforts to gather witness statements and identify those involved in the conflict continue.
Echoing a national outcry for change, Alvarez-Smith spoke vehemently against gun violence. “It’s not fair that I have to bury my 12-year-old son because some people think that it’s so easy to just grab a gun and just shoot somebody,” she declared. “It’s not right, and it needs to stop already.”
The community has been urged to come forward with any information, no matter how minor, that could lead to capturing those responsible. Those with knowledge of the incident can contact the National City Police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.
To manage the unforeseen funeral costs and the personal toll the tragedy has taken on their ability to work, the family has set up a GoFundMe page. Describing their loss as a consequence of being in the “wrong place, wrong time,” they hope to give Elijah the send-off he deserves. “We need to put him to rest with what he deserves. He deserves the best,” added Smith.
As law enforcement and the community rally together in hopes of resolving the case, the pressing need for solutions to gun violence remains a stark reality, underscored by the agony of a family mourning a vibrant life cut tragically short.