Watch CBS News

Woman Fatally Shot While Walking With Boyfriend In Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Police Monday were investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a woman in Hollywood.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were sent shortly after midnight to the 6700 block of Sunset Boulevard for reports of a shooting victim.

Upon their arrival, police located a woman in her early 30s lying on a sidewalk suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to her head.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

CBS2/KCAL9's Jeff Nguyen later confirmed the victim's name is Carrie Melvin. Her age was not immediately known.

Carrie Melvin Fatally Shot In Hollywood
Authorities have identified the victim as Carrie Melvin, 30. (Photo courtesy Jeff Nguyen)

A preliminary investigation revealed the victim, who had a job working online or in social media, walked with her live-in boyfriend to get something to eat when a suspect came up behind them and shot her once.

The suspect then ran to a smaller dark or black car about a half-block away and fled, according to LAPD West Bureau detective John Skaggs.

Investigators say no words were exchanged during the attack, which they do not believe was random.

"The suspect approached from behind and shot her. She collapsed and died at the scene," Skaggs said, adding that police have spoken to the victim's boyfriend.

"He stayed to help her and got help and dealt with it there instead of going after the bad guy," he said.

Sunset Boulevard was shut down between McCadden and Las Palmas avenues during the investigation, authorities said.

No arrests had been made in connection with the shooting as of Monday evening.

Residents, meanwhile, are unnerved.

"I look out the window and there was a lady laid down. And everybody was running everywhere," Paula Martinez said. "We're going to move."

"This hits close to home," another neighbor said. "[She was a] very polite, very sweet girl."

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

Police are looking through surveillance video in the area.

In the meantime, police are working to ease the community's fears.

Despite the shooting, property and violent crimes have gone down in double digits within the last five years, when the LAPD's Hollywood Entertainment District unit, dedicated to patrolling Hollywood and Highland and surrounding areas, was formed.

Capt. Tony Carranza says officers in the unit are on foot and undercover.

"We have had success in that and we attribute a lot of that to the fact that we have dedicated officers there," Carranza said.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.