A gunman remains at large after a grandmother was killed in a drive-by shooting in Compton.
The incident was reported Monday in the 700 block of South Holly Avenue shortly before 11 p.m., according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
The victims were identified by loved ones as Beverly Wilkins, 59 and her boyfriend.
The couple had just returned from dinner and was parked across the street from Beverly’s home. That’s when a suspect drove up and shot at their car before speeding away, police said.
Investigators found Beverly suffering from a gunshot wound while sitting in the passenger seat. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her boyfriend, who was sitting on the driver’s side, was injured but survived. Neighbors said they heard at least three gunshots fired.
Beverly’s loved ones are left devastated and wondering why anyone would target her in this way.
“She was a good person,” said Rosie Wilkins, Beverly’s mother. “Everybody around here seemed to like her. That’s why I don’t understand what happened.”
Although a possible motive was not released by authorities, Rosie believes it may have been a case of mistaken identity.
“It is a possibility, but I’m not sure,” she said.
Rosie said her daughter was disabled from an accident years ago and aside from trips to the grocery store, she mostly spent her free time with family. Rosie hopes the suspect is caught soon and that justice for her daughter will be served.
“You need to turn yourself,” Rosie said to the suspect.
Beverly is survived by her mother, son and three grandchildren.
Investigators are looking at evidence including nearby security cameras that captured the deadly shooting. No information was released regarding a possible suspect or suspects.
Anyone with information was asked to call LASD homicide investigators at 323-890-5500.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.