Los Angeles - On Monday, April 23, 2001, at approximately 6:50 p.m., Devonshire Area Patrol officers and the Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to a radio call regarding a shooting in front of an apartment complex located in the 8700 block of Variel Avenue, in Canoga Park. When officers arrived, they observed an ice cream vending truck stopped in the southbound traffic lane. A female victim was discovered inside the truck. The victim had sustained a single gunshot to the upper torso. Despite the paramedics attempt to save the victim, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed that one suspect approached the ice cream truck and shot the victim for unknown reasons, although robbery is the suspected motive. It has not been established whether the suspect removed property from the victim or truck prior to leaving the scene on foot. The suspect has been described as a male, Black, black hair, 5'-5'05", 120 lbs, and 16-18 years old.

The victim has been identified as Carolyn Jean LaFleur, a 55 year-old resident of Van Nuys. The victim was the sole operator of the vending truck, and she has sustained the route surrounding the crime scene for several years.

Devonshire Homicide Detectives are handling the investigation. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is urged to contact Devonshire Homicide Detectives R. Bogison and B. Cochran at 818-756-8291.

This press release was prepared by Officer La Donna Cissell, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.