Knife stabbing: 9-year-old boy recovers after being stabbed at Target store in downtown LA

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A heartbroken family speaks out as their loved one – a 9-year-old boy – remains in the hospital after he was stabbed to death at a Target store in downtown Los Angeles earlier this week.

“What happened to my little brother should never happen to a kid or anyone out there,” said Jessi, Brayden Medina’s older brother.

Brayden was one of two people stabbed to death by a homeless man at the Target store in the FIGat7th shopping complex on Tuesday night. The suspect grabbed a butcher knife from a store shelf and stabbed Brayden twice in the shoulder before a woman stepped in to protect him.

The second knife victim – a woman in her 20s – was also hospitalized.

LAPD chief Michel Moore said at a news conference the man approached Brayden and told him he was going to kill him.

“[He]confronted him and told the boy he was going to stab him and kill him,” Moore said Tuesday. “He repeated this more than once. The small child tried to flee and leave, ignoring him, moving away. The suspect, without further provocation, suddenly attacked this child and stabbed him in the back.”

Brayden was stabbed twice in the shoulder before a woman stepped in to protect him.

The suspect was shot dead by a security guard at the store.

Brayden’s family is still processing what happened. Jessi said he wanted to be there to protect him.

“I’m trying to get him to forget that because I have a feeling it’s going to affect him a lot,” Jessi said. “I have a feeling he’ll be scared to go outside.”

Family members say the fourth-grader enjoys playing baseball, and while he’s recovering in the hospital, there’s hope his future on the field won’t be affected.

Brayden’s cousin Lizzette says he has some neurological issues.

“He has some problems with his legs,” she said. “Luckily he can move them but he will be going to physical therapy to fully recover.”

The LAPD has increased patrols at the target, with officers now constantly monitoring the area.

A GoFundMe page was set up to pay for Brayden’s medical expenses.