Desirae Alexa Macias, 7

Desirae Alexa Macias, a 7-year-old Latina, died Thursday, Sept. 5, one day after she was shot in the 5600 block of Fort Tejon Road in Palmdale, according to L.A. County coroner’s records.

Macias was shot about 12:45 a.m. in an incident that began at a Mobil gas station, where officials said her mother’s boyfriend was confronted by a group of men.

The boyfriend got into his vehicle with his girlfriend and her children – including Desirae – but the group of men followed in their own car, firing several rounds at them.

The men chased the car through residential streets as the family tried to evade the men, sheriff’s officials said.

The family didn’t realize Desirae had been shot until after they arrived home, the girl’s aunt told The Times.

Desirae was shielding herself in the backseat when she was struck.

On Sept. 6, two brothers were charged with murder in connection with her death. Jesus Alberto Peralta, 22, and Carlos Peralta, 19, also face three counts of attempted murder, along with gun and gang allegations.

If convicted, the brothers each face a maximum of 185 years to life in prison. A third suspect, Eduardo Diaz, was also arrested, but prosecutors did not file charges against him because of insufficient evidence.

-- Los Angeles Times staff