Sister watches as store-bound girl, 10, shot in head

LOS ANGELES, CA -- A 10-year-old girl was shot in the head in Boyle Heights on Friday, according to Los Angeles police.

Authorities said the shooting happened near Chicago Street and Rogers Avenue at about 6 p.m.

The young girl was struck in the back of the head by suspects intending to hit a man on his bicycle, officials from Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations said.

Witnesses who heard the shots ran outside to help the child.

"We were checking to see if she has any bullet penetrations and I was holding her head so she wouldn't be laying down on the concrete," witness John Perez described. "Then I realized my hand, my arm was covered in blood."

The child was rushed to the hospital, where she was undergoing surgery, authorities from the LAPD said. Family members said the bullet was seen partially sticking out of her skull.

Police said the girl was walking to the store with her sister when the gunman opened fire.

"The people were shooting and that's when my sister fell and I thought she was scared. I thought it was fireworks," the girl's sister said. "I tried to pick her up, but that's when I saw the blood coming out from her."

Two vehicles were spotted fleeing the scene of the shooting, according to officials. Police said the incident was possibly gang-related.