10-Year-Old Girl Gunned Down in California Home

May 20, 2013
The young girl was watching TV in the living room of her North Highlands home Saturday night.

A 10-year-old girl was shot to death Saturday night while watching TV in the living room of her North Highlands home, Sacramento county sheriff's investigators said Sunday.

The barrage of bullets that penetrated the house from outside also wounded the girl's father and mother.

On Sunday morning, a cluster of four bullet holes marked the front window of the home on Channing Way, penetrating the glass several inches over the top of the love seat the little girl was apparently sitting on, facing the family's TV across the living room. Three other bullet holes could be seen around the window frame and door.

The girl's parents, both wounded by the bullets, are expected to recover, said Sgt. Jason Ramos, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

"All the people injured were innocent victims," said homicide Detective Scott Swisher. "There are no disputes we are aware of at this time. We believe the suspects came to the location in a vehicle, and we don't yet have a description."

About half a dozen relatives from Suisun City arrived at the home Sunday morning, consumed with grief and questions. "We have no idea what happened. She was a very happy little girl," said Tony Reys, the uncle of the victim, Elvira Campos. "She was sitting right there in the middle seat."

Reys said his sister Imelda Tinoco and brother-in-law Ernesto Campos called him and the rest of the family Saturday night with the heartbreaking news. Reys said Ernesto Campos, a construction worker, had been shot in a shoulder. Tinoco was shot in an arm.

The family had lived in the house for about two years, Reys said. A photograph of Elvira flashing a big smile sat on the TV.

Saul Campos, Elvira's cousin, said, "We just can't believe this happened. Elvira was just so happy all the time and used to make parties. She knew everybody."

He said the victim's father "doesn't drink and he don't have a problem with nobody."

The victim has two older brothers -- a 14-year-old who was working on his computer in another room and a 20-year-old who wasn't home, investigators said.

They are not sure how many shooters were involved.

A canvass of the neighborhood was conducted; homicide detectives and CSI units responded to the scene.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (916) 874-5115.

Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com, by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering the keyword SSD, or by calling (916) 874-8477.

Copyright 2013 - The Sacramento Bee

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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