16-Year-Old Returning From Southern California Church Killed After Being Caught In Cross-Fire

LYNWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a teenage girl was shot and killed in Lynwood while returning home from church.

Investigators say the incident unfolded on Long Beach Boulevard and Euclid Avenue about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

It was then that authorities say the girl and her family were driving home from a church event when she was caught in the cross-fire.

Authorities say the suspect vehicle was on Euclid Avenue and was firing rounds at a maroon mini-van, which was the intended target of the drive-by shooting. The girl was riding in a nearby car and struck by the stray bullet.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified as Danah Rojo-Rivas of Hawthorne.

Scared, authorities said the girl's dog fled the vehicle after she was struck, and was killed by oncoming traffic.

"My heart goes out to the family," said Sgt. Robert Gray of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "They were supposed to be celebrating a day of thanks and today they are going to be in mourning."

The incident remains under investigation. A description of the suspect vehicle was not provided.

Anyone with more information about this case was asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.