Nine-year-old Ximena Meza was killed on October 22, 2014, in Anaheim, California. She was playing with her sisters in front of their apartment complex in the 2300 block of West Greenacre Avenue when a bullet struck her in the chest during a gang-related shooting. Despite resuscitation efforts at UCI Medical Center, she died of her injuries.

Investigators identified Alfredo Aquino and Ricardo Cruz as participants in the confrontation with rival gang members that produced the cross-fire. Both were arrested and charged with second-degree murder, street terrorism and firearm possession, with additional enhancements for criminal street gang activity and vicarious discharge of a firearm causing death by a gang member. Witnesses described Ximena’s father pleading at the scene as she lay wounded.

The community was deeply affected by the loss of a child to gang violence. If anyone remembers that night or has information about what happened in the 2300 block of West Greenacre Avenue, please come forward.