A 14-year-old girl shot and wounded when a a fight broke out and escalated into gunfire outside a Victorville shopping mall over the weekend is expected to survive, but faces a “lengthy recovery ahead of her,” family said.
The shooting took place about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, outside the Cinemark Victorville 16 movie theater, within the Mall of Victor Valley at Bear Valley Road and the 15 Freeway, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
A group of teens began fighting when gunshots rang out, agency spokeswoman Gloria Orejel said.
Victoria Hernandez was wounded in what her father, David Hernandez, described as a “senseless act.”
“She was an innocent bystander just there to watch a movie when these teenagers started an argument with other kids, and weapons were brought out, leading to a round of shooting,” the father said in a statement accompanying an online fundraiser established to help with medical expenses.
“Victoria went into emergency surgery to retrieve the bullet and is now recovering in the hospital,” he said. “She is expected to be okay but has a lengthy recovery ahead of her.”
The young victim is an all-star player with the Victorville Youth Soccer League, playing at Mesa Linda Park, family said.
“(She) is known to everyone for her amazing heart and pure soul,” David Hernandez added. “She’s a very loving girl and always wants to make people happy no matter what.”
Sheriff’s officials reported no arrests as of Tuesday. No further details were released.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Girl shot at Victorville mall has ‘lengthy recovery ahead of her’
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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