LANCASTER, Calif. – Like many young boys, Gor Adamyan loved toy trucks, stuffed animals and, of course, his family. Now, that family is preparing to say goodbye while the two people accused of murdering Gor in a senseless road rage case sit in jail.
Authorities say Gor, 4, was seated in the backseat of his family’s car as they drove in the area of Sierra Highway and East Avenue J in Lancaster around 7:30 p.m. on Friday on their way to pick up groceries.
Another driver first cut them off, then proceeded to chase the family through city streets, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver eventually pulled up next to the Adamyan’s vehicle and began shooting, striking Gor in the upper torso, authorities said. His father and mother immediately drove him to a hospital where he died from his wounds.
“The family right now is totally devastated. They’re confused, in and out of awareness … and in disbelief that this happened to their family,” family spokesperson Dr. Miguel S. Coronado told KTLA on Monday.
Investigators later located the suspect’s vehicle and arrested Byron Burkhart, 29, and Alexandria Gentile, 27, for murder.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Paris says Burkhart should not have been a free man.
“This particular suspect was in custody a week ago for a gun-related felony and they had to let him go because of the new bail laws,” Paris told KTLA 5 reporter Jennifer McGraw.
Los Angeles County’s controversial new zero-bail policy, which took effect in October, allows many of those arrested for non-violent crimes including car theft, retail theft and burglary to be cited and released or booked and released, instead of being held on bond. Firearms offenses are supposed to be reviewed by a magistrate under the new protocols.
Paris, a Republican, is calling on District Attorney George Gascón, a Democrat, to keep criminals locked up to protect innocent victims, like Gor.
“What did we expect? Did we really think our children weren’t going to be the victims of this [policy]? Because they are,” he said.
Gascón’s office said they “are aware of false reports circulating that Byron Burkhart was recently booked on suspicion of a gun-related incident and was released on the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s zero bail policy. This report is false.”
Coronado says the Adamyans recently moved from Glendale to Lancaster in search of a better life. Now, they’re enduring an unthinkable tragedy during what would otherwise be a festive time of year.
“The Christmas trees, and the presents and the food – all of that is meaningless because they don’t have their child,” Coronado said.
The community was expected to gather for a vigil to remember Gor on Monday night.
A GoFundMe account has been established to help the family pay for the funeral.
Anyone with further information was asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
