13-Year-Old Boy Killed While Waiting for Mom to Finish Work at Gas Station

A 13-year-old boy was shot and killed while waiting for his mother to finish her shift at a gas station in Pico Rivera, Los Angeles, in what authorities are calling a “senseless” attack.

The shooting happened just before midnight on Saturday, August 23, outside a 76 gas station on Whittier Boulevard. The victim, identified as Saith Mendez, was standing outside while his mother worked inside when a man in his 20s suddenly approached and opened fire, according to KTLA and CBS News.

Detectives say there was no argument, no robbery, and no warning before the shooting. Officials told NBC Los Angeles that the gunman shot Mendez multiple times in the back before fleeing the scene.

Sheriff’s deputies and homicide investigators responded within minutes, but Saith was pronounced dead at the scene. At this time, no arrests have been made, and investigators say there is no known connection between this case and another fatal shooting that occurred in Pico Rivera two days earlier.

Family members described Saith as a kind, loving boy who had stepped up to protect and support his mother after the death of his father just months ago. “He took pride in being there for her,” relatives told CBS News. They said that was why he insisted on waiting at the station late at night — he didn’t want his mom to be alone.

A family friend, Christine Kreimann, revealed that Saith’s mother has been struggling with homelessness and had been living in a shelter in Long Beach. “She would bring him to work because she didn’t want to leave him there,” Kreimann told KTLA. “While she was helping customers, he would pick up around the gas station for her.”

In the wake of the tragedy, relatives launched a GoFundMe page to help cover Saith’s funeral expenses. The campaign has raised more than $9,000 of its $15,000 goal so far.

Authorities are continuing to search for the gunman and are asking anyone with information to come forward.