Melissa Osorio, a 34-year-old Hispanic woman from Inglewood, California, was killed on the night of June 8, 2026, after gunfire erupted in the Lennox area near Inglewood and Hawthorne. The shooting was reported around 9:07 p.m. in the 4400 block of Lennox Boulevard, near Hawthorne Boulevard and Burin Avenue. Witnesses told deputies they heard shots at the intersection shortly before a vehicle carrying the victims crashed into a building.
When Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and
fire personnel arrived, they found the vehicle had slammed into a building near the northwest corner of Lennox Boulevard and Burin Avenue. Inside were two people suffering from gunshot wounds. Osorio had been shot in the upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. A man in the vehicle was also shot in the upper body and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Investigators said shell casings were found on the ground, suggesting the shots were fired before the crash. Authorities were still working to determine the exact sequence of events, including whether the driver lost control because of the gunfire or whether other circumstances contributed to the collision. Reports from the scene described the vehicle as an older-model Dodge coupe or Dodge Challenger/Charger that ended up against a nearby business after the shooting.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later identified the woman killed as Melissa Osorio. Fundraising pages created after her death described her as someone also known to loved ones as “Maryjane,” remembered for her wild spirit, kind heart, faith, generosity, and willingness to help others. One family fundraiser said she left behind seven children, while another said she left behind eight young children; both described a large family and circle of friends grieving her sudden loss and seeking help with funeral expenses.
As of the latest available reports, authorities had not announced any arrests, named any suspect, or released a suspect description in Osorio’s killing. Sheriff’s officials said homicide detectives were investigating, and one report stated investigators believed the shooting may have been gang-related. The case remained open, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Bureau or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
