A 20-year-old woman was fatally shot in her South Los Angeles home early Sunday morning when a bullet pierced the window of her bedroom, authorities reported. The victim's infant child now faces an uncertain future following the tragic incident.
The Los Angeles Police Department received a call at approximately 3:35 a.m. regarding a shooting in the 400 block of 103rd Street in the Vermont Vista neighborhood. Responding officers discovered a 20-year-old woman deceased inside a residence, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Maria Barrios Ventura, 20, and officially classified the cause of death as homicide. According to an LAPD spokesperson, a witness indicated that a shot was fired from the street, entering the victim's residence through the window.
The victim's boyfriend, Omar Misael, recounted to NBC4 that he, Ms. Barrios Ventura, and their 1-year-old baby were asleep when the projectile struck her. He stated, "A stray bullet passed through here and struck my partner, and another seven shots were fired and hit around here," gesturing to bullet impacts on the exterior of the house. He added that she died approximately ten minutes later.
Homicide detectives in the South Bureau are currently investigating the killing. As of now, no information regarding suspects has been released, and it remains unclear whether Ms. Barrios Ventura was the intended target of the gunfire.
A GoFundMe statement described the incident as devastating to her family. The campaign aims to cover funeral expenses, facilitate the return of her remains to her family in Guatemala, and provide support for her 1-year-old daughter, who is now left without her mother. The statement highlighted the limited local support due to her family residing in Guatemala and emphasized the family's commitment to meeting the daughter's needs during this challenging period. Relatives remembered Ms. Barrios Ventura as a loving mother whose absence is profoundly felt.
