ALTADENA >> A 4-year-old boy was killed and a man was wounded in a shooting outside an Altadena home late Tuesday, authorities said.

Deputies and paramedics rushed Salvador “Chavita” Esparza III to a hospital following the 10:30 p.m. shooting in the 300 block of Figueroa Drive, just west of Grandeur Avenue, according to Ed Winter, assistant chief of operations at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner coroner. The boy was pronounced dead a short time later.

A 27-year-old man, described as a family friend, was also wounded by gunfire and was initially hospitalized in critical condition, Deputy Trina Schrader of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. An update on his condition was not available Wednesday.

The search continued Wednesday for the unidentified shooter who fled the scene in a black or dark-colored sedan. Detectives and crime scene investigators scoured the scene for clues. A detailed suspect description of the shooter was not available, and it was unclear if there were any accomplices. The motive remained under investigation.

Both victims were on the front porch of the house when the shooting happened. The boy’s mother, who brought her child along while visiting her boyfriend at the home, was inside.

“An unknown suspect drove up to the residence and fired rounds toward a residence, striking both victims whom were on the porch,” according to the Sheriff’s Department statement.

The boy was not believed to be the intended target of the shooting.

Andrew Ramos said he was in his house when he heard the gunshots.

“It had to be more than 10,” he said. Ramos said he heard on arguing or other sounds that caught his attention prior to the gunfire.

The gunman reportedly fired at least 13 rounds.

Ramos said his family initially thought the noise was from fireworks. Ramos’ father went outside to look around and discovered there had been a shooting.

Several others neighbors also said they thought the noises were due to fireworks at first.

Jonathan Franklin, 33, lives nearby and said he also mistook the noise for fireworks before deputies flooded into the neighborhood.

He also recalled hearing numerous voices involved in some kind of “commotion” about the time of the shots, but he couldn’t be sure if it was related.

Esparza’s aunt, Jackie Campos, said in a telephone interview that the family was still coming to grips with Tuesday night’s tragic violence.

“We don’t have any information,” Campos said. “We’re just waiting for answers. It’s not going to be easy.”

Esparza’s parents are separated, Campos said. The boy split his time between his father’s house in Monrovia and his mother’s house in Azusa. Neither parent has gang ties, she said.

Campos said she did not know the adult wounded in the shooting. Sheriff’s officials described him as a family friend, and not related to the young boy.

The aunt described Esparza as a calm, sweet boy, just an “average 4-year-old” who loved Spider-Man and other superheroes.

“He lit up the room every time he walked in,” Campos said through tears. “He was the kindest soul.”

Funds to benefit the family are being collected online at www.gofundme.com/BabyChavita.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Update: This story initially misidentified the residents of the home where the shooting happened. The boyfriend of the mother of the 4-year-old lives at the house.