LOS ANGELES, Calif.–A suspect wanted in the Fourth of July shooting death of a 14-year-old girl in unincorporated Westmont, bordering South Los Angeles, was in custody today, authorities said.
Unique Russell, a student at Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles, was shot while standing with a group of people in the 1300 block of West 97th Street about 10:20 p.m. July 4 and died at a hospital, according to the sheriff’s department. A 12-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man were wounded in the attack but survived.
A news conference was planned later today to discuss the investigation and release a photo of the suspect in custody.
Witnesses said two men between 18 and 25 years of age were seen running south on Normandie Avenue after the crime.
“That was my baby. That was my baby,” Donna Wade, the slain girl’s mother, said in an emotional news conference two days after the shooting. “If anybody know anything, please, just please, just contact anybody.”
A $10,000 reward reward was authorized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Anyone knowing more about the shooting was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
