A BABY girl is fighting for her life after she was shot in the head after she and her mother left a party at a California home on Sunday.
Marco Antonio Echartea, a 23-year-old Fresno man has been named as the primary suspect in the alleged shooting.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said Echartea became angry when an attempt to grab the mother’s hand was rejected.
Deziree Menagh, identified as the baby’s mother, also claimed Echartea tried to get her to sit in his lap, but she again resisted and pulled away.
After thwarting his advances, she left the Fesno home with her 10-month-old daughter Fayth Percy and another male friend.
As they were driving away, police allege Echartea began shooting at the car.
Dyer told reporters: “At some point when he got close, he pulled out a handgun and fired three rounds into the driver’s-side window, which was up.
“One of those rounds struck baby Fayth on the side of the head as she was being held by her mother.”
Fayth was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove bullet fragments from her head.
She is reportedly in a critical but stable condition.
Police arrested Echartea near the home on suspicion of three counts of attempted murder, the Fresno Bee reported.
A gun believed to have been used was found and is now undergoing ballistic testing.
The publication also reported Echartea is wanted for another shooting which took place on May 27 on East Rialto Avenue, where he allegedly fired into a residence occupied by Echartea’s ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend.
Dyer said: “In that case, one of the bullets penetrated the walls, and nearly struck another 1-year-old who was inside.
“That bullet landed approximately 1 foot from where the baby was.”
In relation to the most recent events, he said: “I know the parents are broken. They are hurting.
“We held hands at the hospital and prayed for the baby, and we’re asking that everyone in this community come together and pray for baby Fayth for a complete recovery.”
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