Investigators suspect the same gunman unleashed two shooting attacks within an hour Sunday night in a South Los Angeles public housing development, police said Monday.
In all, five persons were shot, and a woman died from wounds inflicted during the attacks, which occurred inside the Imperial Courts public housing development.
The slain woman was identified as Samika Griggley, 29. She had traveled to Imperial Courts with a companion to visit an acquaintance, according to her mother, Dorothy White.
"She was so happy. She mad e you love. She never made you cry," said White.
Her daughter was the first homicide in Imperial Courts in more than a year. In recent years, the three public housing developments in the Watts area have been the focus of a cooperative effort involving police and the community to reduce crime and gang influence.
"It's very saddening, really discouraging," said Capt. Phil Tingirides, commanding officer of LAPD's Southeast Area, and the driving force behind the department's community outreach in Watts.
The first of the two shootings Sunday night occurred at 8:30 p.m. in a parking lot near the corner of Mona Boulevard and 115th Street. A man was critically wounded by a shot to the face. Two women suffered less serious wounds.
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Five shots were heard by one neighbor inside her home. When she looked outside, she said, she saw a man carrying a gun leaving the area.
"He didn't even run. He was walking," the woman said.
A station wagon was seen driving away, according to police.
Later, around 9:20 pm, Griggley and her friend were attacked two blocks away near the intersection of Croesus Avenue and 114th Street.
The friend, a man, was hospitalized with a gunshot in the back. He is expected to recover.
"It really looks like whoever this person was went up into Imperial and just started firing indiscriminately at groups that they could find. Whether this was related to one specific person or whether this was related to the community, we don't know right now," Tingirides said.
Police were reviewing recorded video from the extensive network of cameras installed to watch the outdoor areas of Imperial Courts. Investigators declined to reveal what they have learned from it.
Monday morning, Tingirides met with community members of the Watts Gang Task Force. Afterwards, members Betty Day and Pastor Perry Crouch spoke of their sadness over the two attacks, and commitment not to let it pull the community backward.
"I think what I have to dwell on now is the response because bad things are going to happen," said Tingirides. "It's how we respond to it."
