A drive-by shooting in Artesia early Thursday morning took the life of an immigrant who was supporting his family in Mexico. Another man with him was wounded, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at 12:17 a.m. in the 11900 block of 167th Street, according to Deputy Lisa Jansen of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Information Bureau.
The two men, described as restaurant workers, were having beers outside the house where they stayed when a car drove up and opened fire, sheriff's deputies said.
One of the victims was shot in the head or neck area and pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was taken to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries, Jansen said.
The deceased was identified as Carlos Jimenez, 33. He had immigrated from Mexico four years ago in search of work to support his wife and three children, who remained behind in the state of Chiapas, according to his brother Enrique Jimenez.
Initial investigation turned up no reason why either man would have been targeted, and neither had any gang affiliation, said Sherifff's Homicide Det. Marcelo Quintero.
"We believe they were just innocent persons," Quintero said, adding the victims may have been mistaken for others.
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At least 11 rounds were fired. Ballistics will determine whether there was more than one shooter.
The surviving victim told investigators he heard an engine, then shots, and dove to the ground, Quintero said. When he raised his head, the vehicle was gone.
Jimenez had been involved in a personal dispute with another man, but they had discussed it and worked out their differences, investigators learned, and consequently do not think it was a factor in the shooting.
Investigators ask anyone with information on the crime to contact LA Sheriff's Homicide at 323-890-5500.
