Los Angeles - On Monday, January 1, 2000, at approximately 9:05 p.m., Wilshire Area detectives responded to the rear of 1657 South Gramercy Place. The victim, a 55 year old female Black was standing in the driveway when she was approached by a male Hispanic suspect on foot who fired one round from a semi automatic handgun striking the victim in the head area.

The suspect then ran from the location and entered a 4-door white Toyota, which was parked approximately 40 feet from the shooting scene. The suspect drove off northbound on Wilton Place toward Venice Boulevard.

Paramedics responded to the location and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The victim's identification is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The motive for the shooting appears drug related. The suspect was only described as a male Hispanic, shaved head, 5'7", approximately 25 years of age, wearing white baggy coat and dark baggy pants.

Wilshire Operations Support Division Homicide detectives are investigating this incident. Anyone with information should contact Detectives Frank Bolan or Gregory Kading at 213-473-0444.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.