Tragedy struck East Los Angeles as Lexus Gutierrez, a 22-year-old woman, was fatally shot while sitting in a parked car with friends on the morning of January 20. The incident, which occurred around 11:00 a.m. on the 600 block of South Humphreys Avenue, has left the community reeling. KABC reports that while one person was struck in the hand and another escaped harm, Gutierrez suffered a fatal head wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is actively investigating the drive-by shooting, which has yet to yield any arrests. A GoFundMe page was created to assist Gutierrez's family with funeral costs. In the meantime, law enforcement is on the lookout to quickly apprehend the culprit, with authorities hinting that the shooter may have fled in a four-door sedan. Gutierrez's family holds on to hope that justice will be served, telling KABC, "All we're looking for is justice, justice for an innocent person."
As reported by CBS News, the loss of Gutierrez, who was studying to become a nurse and was an avid softball player, has left her family grief-stricken. Her aunt, Patricia Ramirez, has issued a plea for compassion, urging the shooter to turn themselves in. "Please, if you have any compassion, please turn yourself in," Ramirez implored, adding that while it won't bring Lexus back, it might offer some solace to her bereaved mother.
An impromptu memorial, dotted with candles, balloons, and flowers, has sprung up at the shooting site. "Nothing's gonna bring her back," Ramirez told CBS News. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact CrimeStoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477) to potentially aid in solving the case and possibly prevent another family from enduring a similar heartbreaking ordeal.
