A 22-year-old aspiring nurse died in a drive-by shooting on January 21, 2024, at around 11 a.m.
The incident occurred near an elementary school located on the 600 block of S. Humphreys Street, East Los Angeles, California.
Lexus Gutierrez was seated in the front passenger seat of a friend’s car, parked outside their residence, when a shooter in a passing Honda SUV opened fire.
She suffered a fatal head wound in the attack. The driver of Gutierrez’s vehicle was shot in the hand, while a third passenger in the back seat escaped physical harm.
Witnesses told authorities that after being shot, Gutierrez attempted to flee to safety but collapsed near a home.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has intensified its investigation. They are currently analyzing surveillance footage from the area, hoping to identify the vehicle involved and its occupants.
Gutierrez’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to aid with funeral expenses and other associated costs, raising over $17,000 to date.
The campaign page paints a portrait of Gutierrez as a beacon of support and joy within her family, being the first daughter, granddaughter, and niece.
Her aunt, Patricia Rameriz, described her as “a special, special person who was always kind,” emphasizing her nursing aspirations and love for softball.
During a public appeal, Ramirez made an emotional plea for the perpetrator to surrender. “Please, if you have any compassion, please turn yourself in,” she implored.
A makeshift memorial comprised of candles, balloons, and flowers has sprung up at the site of the shooting.
Gutierrez was the eldest of three siblings and is remembered as a loving and kind-hearted person. Her untimely death has left a profound void in her family and among friends.
