4-Year-Old Girl, Mother Killed In Long Beach Shooting
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A 4-year-old girl and her mother were killed in a shooting in Long Beach Saturday night, authorities said.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 10 p.m. at 9th Street and Locust Ave, east of the 710 Freeway.
The officers found a 26-year-old woman with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified Sunday as Carina Mancera.
The 4-year-old girl also had a gunshot wound to her upper torso and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She succumbed to her injuries hours later at the Long Beach Medical Center. She was identified Sunday as Jennabel Anaya of Long Beach.
The mother and daughter were walking about a block and-a-half from their car to their home when the shooting took place. The woman's husband was walking with them at the time of the shooting but was not shot, police said.
A family member created a GoFundMe page Sunday to pay for the burial of the girl and her mother.
"Our family is heartbroken with this tragic event, and we hope that you can help us give these two beautiful souls a graceful resting place," the campaign said.
A memorial was beginning to take shape Sunday at the scene of the shooting.
Police had not released a description of the suspect Sunday morning.
Neighbors told CBS2's Joy Benedict the family was close-knit and hard-working.
CBS2's Adrianna Weingold spoke to neighbors who wondered how someone could do something so heinous.
She was there when family members gathered at the crime scene to cry, mourn and ask why.
The victim's husband and father was inconsolable and barely audible through tears.
He told reporters the suspect came up to his wife and daughter and shot them point blank.
Neighbors told her they heard about four shots and ran to help.
"I saw the wife, laying on the floor in the fetal position in a pool of blood," said Robert Novarro, "and I also saw the baby, the child, face up. I'm surprised the husband didn't get shot as well."
Police did not say if the shooting was gang-related or if the two victims were targeted.
A vigil was held Sunday evening.
KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner attended the emotional ceremony.
Many in attendance -- family, friends, strangers -- were all asking the same thing. How could someone do something so heinous?
"I would see that little girl every day at the center," said teacher Marcia Bullock, "because I would go into her classroom and to hear she was shot down in the street, it just broke my heart."
Teacher Becky Aberdathy said Jennabel was excited about starting Kindergarten.
"She was one of our younger kids," said Aberdathy, "and she was just a bright, beautiful little girl. She was excited to learn."
"My daughter and her were good friends," said Diana Lopez, "and how do you explain to a 4-year-old they're not going to see their friend again?"
Police, meanwhile, consider to hunt for a suspect.
