Coyote Attacks 4-Year-Old in Los Angeles Suburb

Incident highlights growing concerns over aggressive coyote behavior in the area

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:49am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a coyote's paw print in the dirt, capturing the harsh, gritty details of the crime scene.A recent spate of coyote attacks in the Los Angeles area has left residents on edge and demanding more protection for their families.Los Angeles Today

A four-year-old boy was attacked by a coyote in Carson, California, on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, while standing in his grandparents' driveway. The child, identified as Solomon, sustained superficial puncture wounds to his leg and torso during the attack, which was captured on surveillance footage. Authorities report this incident is part of a troubling pattern of coyote attacks in the area, prompting calls for increased safety measures and coyote control.

Why it matters

The attack on the young boy underscores the growing concerns over aggressive coyote behavior in the Los Angeles area, with multiple incidents reported in recent years. This latest incident has prompted renewed calls for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to take more proactive measures to protect residents, especially children, from potential coyote attacks.

The details

According to reporting from ABC7, the four-year-old boy, Solomon, was attacked by a coyote while playing in his grandparents' driveway in Carson, California. The incident was captured on surveillance footage, showing the coyote pouncing on the child. Solomon sustained superficial puncture wounds to his leg and torso, but is not in life-threatening condition. Authorities have linked the coyote involved in this attack to at least one other recent incident in the area.

  • The attack occurred on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
  • Solomon turned four years old in February 2026.

The players

Solomon

A four-year-old boy who was attacked by a coyote while playing in his grandparents' driveway in Carson, California.

Sarina Donohoo

Solomon's mother, who witnessed the attack and was able to pull her son to safety.

Stephanie Fields

Solomon's grandmother, who expressed frustration over the lack of protective measures in the neighborhood.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency that is collaborating with local law enforcement to search for the coyote responsible for the attack and provide guidance on coyote safety to residents.

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What they’re saying

“All of a sudden, I just hear him screaming and I turned around and I screamed as well because I see the coyote on the top of him.”

— Sarina Donohoo, Solomon's mother

“It hurts my heart that nothing has been done. That there are not protections in place.”

— Stephanie Fields, Solomon's grandmother

“They only need a split second to attack, so please be aware.”

— Stephanie Fields, Solomon's grandmother

What’s next

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is actively searching for the coyote responsible for the attack. Wildlife officers are combing through neighborhoods in an effort to capture the animal before it can harm anyone else.

The takeaway

This latest coyote attack on a young child in the Los Angeles area highlights the growing need for more proactive measures to protect residents, especially in suburban and urban areas where coyote sightings have become increasingly common. The incident has prompted renewed calls for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to take stronger action to address the issue and prevent future attacks.