PACOIMA : Stray Bullet Strikes Man, 71, in Neck; 2 Arrested

Two gang members having target practice with a rifle in Pacoima fired a bullet that traveled 700 yards, striking a 71-year-old man in the neck and lodging in his spine on Monday, police said.

Howard Carey was “conscious and moving his arms and legs” when paramedics arrived, said Bob Collis of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Carey underwent surgery at Holy Cross Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

Mario Rodriguez, 18, of Pacoima, and a 16-year-old neighbor boy were taking turns shooting a .22-caliber rifle, police said. Police said they had not determined who fired the bullet that hit Carey as he stood near Van Nuys and Glenoaks boulevards.

The youths admitted shooting in the direction of the victim but said they didn’t know someone was there, according to police. Both were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.