Canyon Country boy’s November death is ruled an accidental shooting
A 12-year-old Canyon Country boy was killed last month when the gun he and another juvenile were handling unintentionally discharged, Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators have concluded.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a fatal shooting on Nov. 6 at the intersection of Sand Canyon and Placerita Canyon roads near Santa Clarita where they found the body of the victim, William Lemus Ayala, authorities said. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, according to the county medical examiner.
Homicide investigators said in a statement Thursday that the victim and a newly identified second juvenile were handling a firearm when it unintentionally discharged, “causing grave injury to the victim.”
The identification of the second juvenile was withheld because of the individual’s age.
The woman charged with fatally shooting Michael Latt in his home had previously been accused of stalking and threatening a Hollywood film director, court documents reviewed by The Times show.
Authorities last month had been investigating whether the boy’s mysterious death was gang-related. Homicide investigators have now ruled that out.
The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the district attorney’s office for review.
Those who would like to anonymously provide information about the case can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit the L.A. Crime Stoppers website.
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