No Charges Filed In Shooting Death Of 1-Year-Old Girl In Compton
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Prosecutors have declined to file charges against a man arrested on suspicion of firing into a Compton house, killing a 1-year-old girl as she slept in the crib.
Instead, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office on Wednesday asked the sheriff's department to further investigate Autumn Johnson's shooting death.
Sheriff's officials said 23-year-old Ray Howard Patterson, who was arrested Monday, was released from custody as the homicide probe continues.
Authorities believe a man walked up to a converted garage the evening of Feb. 9 and opened fire, striking the baby in the head, before getting into a Chevrolet Impala, which drove away.
Investigators said they believe the gunman was targeting the baby's father, who is an acknowledged gang member.
Investigators were still looking for the car's driver.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
