LOS ANGELES_A teenage girl was fatally shot in Lynwood in the Los Angeles area on Wednesday night, caught in the middle of what detectives believe to be a gang-related shooting.
The 16-year-old was the victim of potential car-to-car crossfire as she was on her way home from church with her family, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies responded to a gunshot victim call about 9:30 p.m., authorities said.
The girl was riding in the back seat of her family's car with her small white poodle on her lap. Her 18-year-old brother was sitting in the passenger seat. As her mother drove east, a "possible car-to-car shooting or chase" approached from behind.
Authorities said the target vehicle, a burgundy Saturn SUV, was trying to get away from the shooter but was caught in traffic at a stoplight. A male adult suspect exited a vehicle and began shooting multiple rounds at the target.
One of the rounds hit the car the teenager was in, tearing through the back near the license plate and striking the girl in her upper torso, the sheriff's department said.
The suspect then made a U-turn and fled. The intended target also fled.
When the teenager's mother realized her daughter had been shot, she pulled over. Paramedics treated the girl, but she died at the scene.
No description of the suspect's car was available, but detectives believe there could be more than one person involved in the shooting. No weapon has been recovered.
The victim's mother and brother were not injured, but the dog ran into the street and was struck by traffic. It died at the scene.
