On January 21, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m., 22-year-old Lexus Marie Gutierrez was fatally shot while sitting in a parked car with two friends in the 600 block of South Humphreys Avenue in East Los Angeles. The assailant, operating a small, four-door sedan, fired shots at the vehicle, striking Gutierrez in the head and injuring the driver in the hand. The third occupant was unharmed. Gutierrez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is actively investigating the incident as a drive-by shooting. Authorities have not yet identified any suspects, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are seeking assistance from the public, particularly anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or possesses relevant information. A makeshift memorial, including candles, balloons, and flowers, has been established at the site of the shooting, reflecting the community's mourning and support for the victim's family.
Gutierrez was the eldest of three siblings and was pursuing a career in nursing. Family members describe her as a kind-hearted individual with a big smile, who was always there for her family and friends. Her aunt, Patricia Ramirez, expressed the family's devastation, stating, "She had a big heart, she was kind, she was very loving and she was loved."
In the wake of her death, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to assist the family with funeral expenses. The campaign highlights Gutierrez's role as a protective big sister and a cherished member of her extended family.
As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice to Gutierrez and her grieving family.
