A pregnant Los Angeles woman was shot dead while sitting next to her father in a car en route to a birthday party.
Marissa Perez, 25, is four months pregnant and has been shot several times, including being shot in the head while waiting at a crossroads in Artesia.
A car pulled up on the passenger side of the vehicle and opened fire on the vehicle, in what investigators believed to be a “targeted” killing.
Perez’s mother, Sandra Tolentino, said in an interview, “I want justice for my daughter. I want justice for my grandson.
Marissa Perez, 25, was shot dead on her way to her father’s birthday party in Los Angeles
The 25-year-old is pictured in heartbreaking photos showing her an ultrasound before she died
“I want justice for my daughter, I want justice for my grandson,” Perez’s mother, Sandra Tolentino, said.
Perez is pregnant with her first child, due in June (pictured), her family said.
The shooting occurred near the intersection of Pioneer Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard around 7:30 pm on December 29.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene after the car stopped next to Perez and began firing into the car.
As of Wednesday, January 4, no arrests have been announced in the case and no one has been named by law enforcement officials.
As investigators continue to hunt for Perez’s killer, the woman’s family has come forward and called on the public to share information that could lead to the arrest of the man who took the robbery of a loved one.
“He doesn’t deserve to walk this street. He needs to spend the rest of his life in prison,” Tolentino said in an interview with ABC7.
The grieving mother held back her sobs as she spoke to local media not only with her daughter’s baby Andrew’s father, but also with another family member.
Perez, who was four months pregnant, was shot several times, including in the head, while waiting in a car at an intersection in LA’s Artesia neighborhood.
“She was 25 and about to become a mother in five months. She was very happy,” said Tolentino.
Perez (second from left) with some family members
“She was 25 and about to become a mother in five months. She was very happy,” Tolentino said.
“She was so excited. She looked like a whole new person. I’ve never seen my sister shine so bright.
“He shouldn’t have been taken from us like that,” said his mother.
Marissa’s aunt, April Perez, was speaking with her niece just before the shooting took place.
In an interview with KTLA, April said Perez called him to confirm party details and told him he would be there by 7pm at the latest.
The first red flag was Perez’s boyfriend, who called the woman’s aunt and asked if she had attended the party.
“Her boyfriend called and said, ‘Did Marissa get there yet?’ I said ‘no’ and he hung up,” April said. told news outlets.
April said, “She was innocent and didn’t deserve to be killed so brutally, or was her baby.
“It’s such a shame that she won’t be able to move on to the next chapter because she still had this life waiting for her. You never know when you’ll be able to say goodbye one last time, so don’t hold a grudge, just love.” ‘ said the woman’s mother.
A GoFundMe, launched after her death, has raised more than $28,000 of her $30,000 goal as of January 4.
“Marissa was expecting the biggest blessing, a baby in June,” read a GoFundMe created by her family.
Perez was described by friends and family as “the most loyal, loving, gregarious, and strongest person”.
The description on the fundraising page reads, “Nothing prepared me for this immense sense of loss and grief.”
“Nothing prepared for this immense sense of loss and grief,” read the fundraising page description.
Hundreds donated to a campaign created for the young woman’s family, and dozens left comments remembering and honoring her life.
“Baby girl, may you and your little angel rest in peace. Society has let you down. I am so sorry that you have come across such evil people. My condolences to the Perez family.” Que Dios Los Bendiga xx Raza Let’s be kind to each other.Pray that Marissa and her baby will be judged,” one commenter wrote.
“Marissa, you were loved by so many. May you and your baby rest in peace forever. Thank you for shining so brightly in this world,” another person who donated said.
“My condolences to the bereaved families. May God comfort all those affected by their loss,” wrote another.
A makeshift memorial was then installed in a shopping plaza near the scene. Photos and videos of the scene show candles, balloons and flowers honoring the women.
“I will always love you,” read one of the candles on the memorial. “I love you my forever sister-in-law,” read another message from a loved one.
This is the intersection where Perez was shot dead in Los Angeles
Perez was on her way to a party for her aunt (right) when she was killed
Here is a photo of Perez and her aunt posted in a TikTok tribute video.
Perez’s boyfriend grieves after losing girlfriend and child they were expecting
Police continue to investigate the shooting. Perez’s family said law enforcement believed it was no coincidence, but said no motive was shared.
“It wasn’t random. I know that. It wasn’t a coincidence,” said Sandra Tolentino.
If you have information about the shooting, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division at (323) 890-5500.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Prevention at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
The gruesome shooting occurred amidst what appears to be an ongoing crime scene in Los Angeles.
Since December 2020, the number of assaults involving homicides, robberies and violent crimes has increased by 8.3% in two years in LA.
Homicides in the city have increased by 7.8% so far this year compared to 2020, with 373 reported cases.
Over the past two years, robberies have increased by 13.2% and aggravated assaults have increased by 7.7%.
Over the past two years, Los Angeles’ overall violent crime has increased by 8.3%.
