Police have opened a murder investigation after a nine-month-old baby was shot dead in a drive-by shooting while his mother was pushing him down the street in his pram.

Darius King Grigsby was fatally shot in the drive-by shooting while his mother and her boyfriend pushed him in his pram in the city of Merced, in Merced County, in the US state of California, according to the police.

After the shooting, the baby’s mother, who has not been named, could reportedly be seen on CCTV footage that has not been released grabbing her baby out of his stroller and calling for help while screaming “they killed my baby”, according to local media.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Merced Police Department on Thursday, 10th November, saying that they were investigating the murder of the nine-month-old boy and adding: “Merced – On November 9, 2022, at approximately 12:36 P.M., Merced Police responded to the McDonalds at 13th and R Street for a shooting.

“Responding officers located a 9-month-old boy and his mother inside of the establishment. The infant was suffering from a fatal gunshot wound and unfortunately pronounced deceased at the scene. He was later identified as Darius King Grigsby.

“Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. It was determined that the shooting took place in the 1200 block of Q Street.

“Grigsby was being pushed in a stroller by his mother who was walking down the street with her boyfriend. A vehicle drove by and one of the occupants opened fire, striking Grigsby.

“Detectives are still conducting a thorough canvass of the area for witnesses and video surveillance. This investigation remains ongoing, and no suspects have been identified at this time.”

The cops added: “Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Sergeant Kalvin Haygood at 209-385-6998 or by email at haygoodk@cityofmerced.org or Detective Steven Odom at 209-388-7814 or by email at odoms@cityofmerced.org.”

The investigation is ongoing.