SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Family, friends and community members gathered at a vigil Saturday to remember a 22-year-old woman who was shot and killed inside her car in South Los Angeles.
“She was my princess and she always will be my princess, but it’s just so sad and heartbreaking that I have to bury my daughter,” said Angenette Morgan, Rayjonet Morgan’s mother.
Raejonot was found shot to death last week in his Mercedes-Benz at a busy intersection on Vermont Avenue near the 105 Freeway. Multiple bullet holes were visible in the driver’s side door and window of the sedan. After the shooting, the vehicle drove onto the sidewalk and came to a stop near the freeway entrance.
Mr. Regionet later died in hospital from his wounds.
Now her mother is demanding that the person who shot her turn himself in.
“I hope the people who took this queen’s life are watching this footage. I hope they have a lot of guilt in their hearts,” said the Rev. Shep Crawford.
Community members say it’s time for someone to come forward with information.
“We as a community know who is committing these crimes. They don’t come from outer space, they walk out our doors,” said Lawanda Hawkins of Justice for Murdered Children.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department believes the shooting was committed by gang members, but Legionet’s family believes it was a case of mistaken identity and that someone may have fired shots at the wrong car.
The family of a woman shot to death while driving south of Los Angeles is accusing sheriff’s deputies of failing to act for several minutes to potentially save her life.
In addition to frustration that no arrests have been made, the family’s grief has been compounded by disturbing video footage that appears to show sheriff’s deputies who responded to the scene making no immediate attempt to help the victim, even as civilians tried to get into Lagionet’s car, where she was still alive.
She was eventually taken to hospital but died two days later, but her family believes those critical minutes may have saved her life.
“Shame on you. Shame on you. It took too long. What were you thinking?” Anginette said.
Emotions ran high at the vigil on Saturday, with no answers from either side and what some saw as grief without justice for a young woman just starting her life.
“She was on her way out and someone took her life,” said Khaliq Shah of the Foundation to Stop Violence and Promote Peace. “We won’t tolerate this anymore. It’s over. It’s over.”
Regarding the deputy’s alleged inaction, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement, “It was initially unclear whether the vehicle belonged to the suspect or victim. The deputy requested assistance from the South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department from his patrol vehicle.”
The department said in a statement: “A major incident investigation is being conducted into the entire incident which will review the deputy’s response, equipment, training and tactics to determine whether departmental policies and procedures were followed. We are deeply concerned about this incident and our detectives are working hard to solve this heinous murder and bring justice to the family. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Rayjonet Morgan during this tragic time. Our department remains steadfast in our commitment to saving lives and protecting the residents of our community during any emergency.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to submit a tip anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), download the P3 Tips mobile app on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
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