Baby Shot After Her Mother Turned Down Suspects Advances

FRESNO, Calif. – A 23-year-old man shot a 10-month old baby girl in her head after her mother refused his advances at a party.

Fresno Police said that the baby girl identified as Fayth Percy went through emergency surgery in order to remove bullet fragments from her head and remains in critical condition. The shooter, identified as Marcos Antonio Echartea, 23, had expressed his desire to be in a relationship with Fayth’s mother, 18-year-old Deziree Menagh.

Police officials said that he had met Menagh approximately a week prior to the party on Saturday, June 22, 2019. During the party located at 3607 East Hammond Avenue in the City of Fresno. Echartea attempted to grab her hand, followed her, and eventually even attempted to pull her onto his lap. ‘

Winter Storm Warning: Heavy Snowfall to Hit Ridgecrest and Surrounding Areas

Wrightwood Firefighters Rescue Stranded Individuals in Backcountry Snowstorms

Menagh was not interested in Echartea and left the party with her daughter and a male friend. The male friend made a U-turn coming to a stop southbound on 5th Street near East Hammond. After leaving they saw Echartea walking toward the vehicle. When he got to the vehicle, which was stopped, he pulled out a gun and shot three times into the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Fayth was struck in her head as she sat in her mother’s lap in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The driver called 911 and began driving toward the nearest hospital until an ambulance and police arrived close enough to their location. The emergency medical personnel then took over providing aid to and transporting the baby girl.

Echartea was arrested and booked into jail for three counts of attempted murder. It was learned that Echartea was also wanted for a shooting on May 27, 2019, at around 9:00 p.m. at a home located at 2224 East Rialto in the City of Fresno. The home was occupied by his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend when he fired numerous times at the home. “In that case, one of the bullets penetrated the wall and nearly struck a 1-year-old who was inside,” Dyer said. Police Chief Jerry Dyer said that he will also be charged for the Rialto incident.