News Releases
December 19, 2023: Man Charged in Road Rage Shooting that Killed Four-Year-Old Boy in Lancaster
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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced that Byron Burkhart is charged in a road rage shooting that killed a four-year-old boy who was traveling in a motor vehicle with his mother and father Friday evening in Lancaster.
“Our hearts ache for the tragic loss of a young life in such a devastating and senseless act of road rage,” District Attorney Gascón said. “A family is facing unimaginable pain during what should be a joyous time this holiday season.”
Byron Burkhart (dob 09/15/94) is charged in case23AVCF00150 with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle, and five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon – prior(s).
It is further alleged thatBurkhartpersonally used a handgun in the commission of the crime.
Burkhart is scheduled to be arraigned January 22, 2024 in Dept. A1 at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.
On December 15, Burkhart, was travelling with his girlfriend when he allegedly cut off the victims’ vehicle while they were driving on the 44600 block of Sierra Highway in Lancaster. The victim’s father was driving the other car when Burkhart allegedly engaged in aggressive driving maneuvers and road rage.
Burkhart allegedly pulled alongside the victims’ vehicle where he used a firearm to fire eight shots into their car. The four-year-old boy, who was in the backseat of the car, was struck once. The other two passengers were not struck by the gunfire. The boy was transported to a nearby hospital where he died.
The victims’ vehicle’s camera allegedly captured Burkhart’s vehicle’s license plate during the incident.
The prosecution is recommending that Burkhart be held on $5.075 million-dollar bail.
If convicted as charged, Burkhart will face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
We are aware of false reports circulating that Byron Burkhart was recently booked on suspicion of a gun-related incident and was released on the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s zero bail policy. This report is false.
