Family: Boy killed by stray bullet at backyard Thanksgiving

SAN DIEGO — Family members say a 12-yearold boy was killed by a stray bullet while celebrating Thanksgiving in a San Diego backyard.

Maria Gaspar-Casillas told KNSD-TV that her nephew was hit in the back by a bullet that came through at least one fence.

She said family members tried to help Angel Domingo Gaspar Gallegos before paramedics arrived at the home in the Skyline neighborhood. She says the boy was taken to a hospital where he died.

“We’re all devastated right now,” said Jose Casillas, the boy’s uncle.

San Diego police said Sunday the case is under investigation and declined to release additional details. On Friday, police said they were seeking witnesses and didn’t have an immediate suspect description.

According to KNSD, police have not confirmed the family’s reports of a stray bullet.

Gaspar-Casillas said she was hosting about 40 family members for Thanksgiving at the home where she recently moved in Skyline.

Her nephew was playing outside with about a dozen of his cousins on when his younger brother heard a loud bang and saw him fall, the Union-Tribune reported.

“We thought my backyard was the safest place in the world for the kids to play,” she told the newspaper.