6 YEAR OLD BOY SHOT...DEAD

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

SALINAS, Calif. (AP) — Salinas police say a 6-year-old boy is dead after a stray bullet struck him in the head while he was playing in his backyard.

Police spokesman Lalo Villegas says authorities are investigating Tuesday's shooting as gang-related. Investigators believe the boy was not intentionally hit.

Police questioned several males who were seen running from the scene but do not consider them suspects. Villegas says they may have been the intended targets.

Police have no leads on the suspects.

Meanwhile, grief counselors were dispatched Wednesday to Jesse G. Sanchez School, where the child attended. The victim's name has not been released.

The boy's death is the first homicide in Salinas this year. Last year, the city saw a record 29 homicides, mostly gang-related.