Gunfire Kills Two People Including Innocent Bystander

December 21, 2008

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles police need the public’s help in identifying the killer who fatally shot two people yesterday evening in South Los Angeles.  One of the victim’s was an innocent bystander.

At around 9:15 p.m., police were called out to the scene of a double shooting in the 1200 block of East 50th Street and found 34-year-old Adriana Pizarro suffering from a gunshot wound.  Pizarro was rushed to University of Southern California Medical Center, where she died an hour later.  

Pizarro stood 150 yards from where the actual shooting occurred.  Detectives believe she was not the intended target but merely an innocent bystander when she was struck.  Detectives also believed that the shots were likely aimed at 23-year-old Alexander Castro as he drove his car down the street.  Police found him inside of his car after he crashed into several parked cars.  Paramedics pronounced Castro dead at the scene.

Detectives are in the initial stages of their investigation and have yet to determine what prompted the shooting.  They have few leads and no suspect description.
 
Anyone with information is asked to call Newton homicide detectives at 323-846-6556 during normal business hours.  After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll-free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-ASK-LAPD (529-3855).  Persons can also send anonymous tips by texting CRIMES (274637) and typing LAPD to start the message.