Pregnant Woman Shot Several Times In Driveway Of South El Monte Home

SOUTH EL MONTE (CBSLA.com) — Detectives Wednesday were investigating the shooting of a woman who was 7 months pregnant.

The woman was shot several times just after 10 p.m. Tuesday while standing in the driveway of her home in the 1900 block of Merced Avenue in South El Monte, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Officials say the suspect approached the woman, who is in her late 20s, and fired several rounds before fleeing the scene in a dark-colored sedan.

Detectives believe the woman was targeted.

"It would appear that at least the vehicle she was driving, if not her, could have possibly been targeted. She was the only one [in] the vehicle," said Lt. William Wicker.

She was rushed to a local hospital where doctors delivered her baby via C-section. The infant, a girl, was last listed in stable condition.

The infant's mother was listed in critical, but stable condition.

KCAL9's Randy Paige reported from the scene where he spoke to stunned neighbors.

Tien Chan told Paige he heard seven shots, "bang, bang, bang ... bang."

Chan waited five minutes and then ran outside of his apartment to take pictures of the crime scene.

The victim had apparently just driven up in a brown SUV when the shots rang out.

Police theorize the shooting might be the result of gang activity.

Neighbor Shantal Galicia thought her neighborhood was safe -- she walks by the crime scene every day when she goes to work.

"I'll have to have my parents drive me to work now," Galicia said.

Anyone with information should contact the LASD's Temple Station (626) 285-7171.