13-Year-Old Boy Named as Suspect in Shooting Near Middle School

The shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. on the 15300 block of Plummer Street, two blocks east of Sepulveda Boulevard.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on the ground, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The aftermath of a shooting near a middle school raises concerns about student safety and the need for comprehensive solutions to address gun violence.Los Angeles Today

A 13-year-old boy is believed to be the person responsible for shooting a 17-year-old near a San Fernando Valley middle school on Thursday afternoon. The victim, who is not a student at the school, was walking toward the campus to pick up a younger sibling when the shooting occurred. Police said there was some sort of altercation that preceded the shooting.

Why it matters

School shootings and gun violence near educational institutions are a major concern for communities, raising questions about student safety, mental health support, and the role of law enforcement in preventing such incidents.

The details

The shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. on the 15300 block of Plummer Street, two blocks east of Sepulveda Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police arrived to find the victim, a 17-year-old boy, suffering from a gunshot wound to the thigh. He was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition. A 13-year-old boy believed to be a student at the middle school was named as a suspect, but had not been arrested as of Wednesday night.

  • The shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The middle school was briefly placed on lockdown following the incident.

The players

Los Angeles Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the shooting incident.

Los Angeles Unified School District

The school district that oversees Sepulveda Middle School, where the incident occurred.

13-year-old boy

The suspect believed to be responsible for the shooting, who is a student at Sepulveda Middle School.

17-year-old victim

The victim of the shooting, who was not a student at the middle school but was walking toward the campus to pick up a younger sibling.

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What’s next

The 13-year-old suspect has not been arrested, and police are continuing to investigate the incident. The school district has also said it will provide additional mental health resources for students who may need support.

The takeaway

This shooting near a middle school highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and student safety in communities, and the need for comprehensive approaches that address mental health, law enforcement, and school-community partnerships to prevent such incidents.