NATIONAL CITY (KGTV) — The search continues for the person behind a deadly shooting that took the life of a 12-year-old boy this weekend.
Elijah Smith’s family is desperate for answers as police ask witnesses who were at the party to come forward.
Four other people were injured at the house party in National City Friday night.
Neighbors say the home was abandoned and the center of multiple problems on the street, including noise complaints.
As more details of the young victim come to light, leaders in the community say they are trying to jump ahead of a bigger problem.
ABC 10News reporter Laura Acevedo met with a local pastor who says it’s up to the entire community to work together to keep this from ever happening again.
Bishop Cornelius Bowser is a local pastor and program director for Shaphat Otreach. He is a leader in the community to prevent gang and gun violence in San Diego.
The motive for Friday’s shooting is still unclear, and police have made no mention of any ties to gang violence.