Los Angeles:  A man driving through south Los Angeles with his two small children was shot and killed last night.

On Sunday, January 8, 2006, around 9:45 p.m., 23-year-old Alejandro Amaro was driving home with his two children, having just left a family residence in the 2900 block of Cochran Avenue.  He drove southbound on Cochran Avenue in his gray 2003 Ford Expedition and stopped for a stop sign at Jefferson Boulevard.  As the Expedition entered the intersection, a black 1990s-model Chevrolet approached from behind.  The black male driver pulled alongside the Expedition, then got out of the driver's side.  The man walked toward Amaro in the SUV and shot him, striking him multiple times in the torso.  The shooter returned to his vehicle and sped away, westbound on Jefferson Boulevard.

Though shot in the chest, Amaro continued driving eastbound on Jefferson Boulevard.  His SUV crashed into a light standard on the southwest corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Orange Drive and turned on its side.  Witnesses to the crash were able to remove the two children from their car seats.

Paramedics took Mr. Amaro and the children to a local hospital where Amaro died as a result of his injuries.  Both children were unharmed and later released to relatives.

The shooting is believed to be gang related.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for this crime.  Anyone with information is asked to call Southwest Homicide Detective Dave Garrido or Elizabeth Alvillar at 213-485-2417.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855.)