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Family members of 14-year old Unique Russell, who was shot and killed in a senseless murder on the 4th of July, made an emotional plea to identify the men responsible, at a press conference at the scene of her death.

Sheriff Lee Baca and Sheriff's Homicide investigators joined the family at the 1300 block of West 97th Street (cross street Normandie Ave), in unincorporated Westmont, South Los Angeles, to plead with the public for any information. Links to news media video of the family and statements made are shown below and the LASD news release is at the bottom of this message:

Family Of 14-Year-Old Girl Gunned Down Makes Public Plea (KCBS-TV-2 Video)

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/7477640-family-of-14-year-old-girl-gunned-down-makes-public-plea/

Stepmother of slain teen says 14-year old Unique Russell was a victim of a "war that doesn't exist," echoing the family's conviction that someone in the neighborhood knows who committed the crime. (KNBC-TV-4 Video)

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Unique-Russell-Shooting-Westmont-Fourth-of-July-4-Sheriff-Lee-Baca-Suspect-Search-Crime-South-LA-161634315.html

Westmont shooting: Mother makes emotional plea in daughter's shooting (KABC-TV-7)

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8728095

Mother Makes Emotional Plea To Daughter's Killers (Fox-TV-11)

http://www.myfoxla.com/story/18969214/mother-makes-emtional-plea-to-daughters-killer


At 10:21PM, on Wednesday, July 4th, 2012, two suspects were seen firing several shots in the direction of dozens of people including friends, family members and neighbors celebrating the 4th of July holiday. Three people were struck by the gunfire; Unique Russell, a 14-year-old Washington Preparatory High School student was killed. The two remaining victims suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated and released. Both male suspects were last seen fleeing the scene on foot.


"Bullets strike where guns are pointed, and innocent people get hit just like gang members do," said Captain Mike Parker, Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau. "Although homicides have decreased 38% in Los Angeles County compared to five years ago, Sheriff Lee Baca says that one life lost due to violence is too many. What we need most is for the public to be so fed up with violence and gangs that they get involved. Call your local law enforcement. If you see something, say something."

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.


Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
4700 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park CA 91754
Office: 323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
[email protected]
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Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/ and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.


***

First News Release:


Teen Dead; Two others Wounded in Uninc. South Los Angeles Shooting ( UPDATE Log 169)


Shooting Death Investigation, Uninc. South Los Angeles (Log 169)

DATE: Wednesday, July 4, 2012

TIME: 10:21 PM

LOCATION:
1300 block of West 97th Street, Unincorporated South Los Angeles


VICTIMS:
Female Black juvenile (deceased)
Female Black juvenile (wounded)
Male Black adult (wounded)


SUSPECT: Unknown


UNIT: Homicide Bureau


NARRATIVE:

Update 0452 AM

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 14 year old girl and the wounding of two others last night in the 1300 block of West 97th Street, Unincorporated South Los Angeles.

Detectives have learned that a group of people were gathered near the front of the location when the suspects described only as male Blacks approached and opened fire. Two girls aged 14 and 12 were struck by gunfire along with a 21 year old man.

The victims were transported to a local hospital where the 14 year old girl succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.

The other victims have been hospitalized and their condition is unknown.

The suspects remain outstanding and the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Authored by Benjamin Grubb, Deputy
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
4700 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park CA 91754
Office: 323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
[email protected]
www.Nixle.com : LASD Text and Emails
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment


Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department



To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/ and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.