Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Coroner investigating death of girl struck near target shooting area

Updated Wednesday, March 9, 2011 | 9:36 a.m.

The 4-year-old Las Vegas girl who died after being struck in the head by metal fragments Sunday afternoon has been identified as Dayla Pizzoferrato, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office.

Metro spokesman Bill Cassell said on Monday that police believe the child's injuries were the result of a tragic accident, but they were continuing to investigate.

Police responded to a medical call about 4:20 p.m. south of Sloan Road near Las Vegas Boulevard, which is in a rural area south of Las Vegas.

The girl's father and grandfather called 911 after she apparently fell off the tailgate of a sport utility vehicle, police said. They told authorities they were out in the desert area target shooting.

The girl was taken by helicopter to University Medical Center with critical injuries, authorities said.

A preliminary investigation indicates a ricochet might have struck the child, causing the penetrating injuries, Cassell said.

The coroner has not determined Pizzoferrato's cause and manner of death.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy