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Richmond Toddler Hit By Stray Bullet In Good Condition; $25K Reward Offered

RICHMOND (CBS SF) -- A 1-year-old boy who was injured by a stray bullet fragment at an apartment complex in Richmond's Iron Triangle neighborhood Thursday was in good condition Friday, a police lieutenant said.

The boy, identified as Elijah Ali, was one of two people injured in a shooting around 1:15 p.m. at St. John's Apartments at 121 W. MacDonald Ave., according to police.

Lt. Bisa French said the infant recovered at Children's Hospital in Oakland Friday after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet fragment from his neck.

French said she did not know when the boy would be released.

A gunman opened fire across the street from the apartment building, striking a man on a bicycle who police believe may have been the intended target.

A bullet fragment also struck the boy, who was being held by his grandmother inside an apartment home, French said.

The man hit by the gunfire arrived at a hospital a short time later suffering from a bullet wound to his leg. He is recovering, the lieutenant said.

Police said at least one male suspect fled the scene of the shooting armed with a gun.

Richmond police Chief Chris Magnus said Thursday that finding the suspects in the shooting the department's highest priority.

"Obviously the family is traumatized. You have a 1-year-old child who is literally in the arms of his grandparents, they're feeding him and bullets come into the house," Magnus said. "I am really angry about this. I am sickened, I am appalled."

The chief more than doubled the usual reward for information leading to a suspect's capture and conviction to $25,000 in the hopes of gathering information as quickly as possible, he said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Richmond police at (510) 233-1214. Anonymous callers may leave tips at (510) 232-8477.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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