‘It could be your child’: Mayor wants witnesses to come forward in murder of 12-year-old boy

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — National City detectives are searching for the gunman responsible for a shooting that left a 12-year-old boy dead and four other teenagers wounded late Friday night. It happened during an illegal party at a vacant home on N Avenue. The incident has left the community in shock.

A growing memorial of flowers and candles has appeared at the scene as residents mourn the loss of Elijah Smith, the young boy who was killed. National City Mayor Ron Morrison said he is not only committed to finding the shooter but also wants to hold accountable those who organized the party.

The shooting occurred during an illegal house party at a vacant property owned by Big Hill Oz LLC, which plans to demolish two vacant homes on the site. Neighbors, like Carmen Tafoya, talked about the frightening moments of the shooting.

"We just heard five shots, one that went boom then right after four of them," Tafoya said. She noted that although teenagers had been visiting the property for weeks, she had not observed any disruptive behavior until the shooting.

Gunfire erupts at National City house party, leaving one dead and four injured

The city has been working to expedite the demolition permit for the property to prevent further break-ins. Mayor Morrison stated that the property owners have attempted to secure the site multiple times, but trespassers have repeatedly broken in.

"The owners have boarded it up several times, and it's been broken into several times," Morrison said.

Morrison said that law enforcement's focus is not only on finding and arresting the shooter, but also bringing charges against those who planned and advertised the event on social media.

"That someone would actually put on an event and bring minors with alcohol and everything else, knowing that they were illegally on this property ... basically an illegal rave, but you're doing it for minors," Morrison said.

GoFundMe started for married couple killed in downtown shooting

Oakley Smith, Elijah's sister, spoke about her brother's compassionate nature. "He cared so much about all of us, even his friends. He had the biggest heart ever," she said.

Elijah's mother, Sofia Alvarez Smith, expressed her devastation and confusion over her son's presence at the party. "He was supposed to be home. He wasn't supposed to leave the house, and we don't know who he went with," she said.

Big Hill Oz LLC has since hired a security guard to monitor the property. Mayor Morrison urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to prevent further violence.

"If you leave them out on the street, guess what — this could happen again. It could be your child," Morrison said.

Investigators estimate that hundreds of people were at the party and are asking anyone with information to contact them.