Monica Nicole Ruiz, 31

Monica Nicole Ruiz, a 31-year-old Latina, was shot and killed Thursday, Aug. 31, in the 300 block of West D Street in Wilmington, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

A vehicle described as a gray or silver sedan drove by a two-story apartment complex about 8:50 p.m., and a person inside the vehicle opened fire at a group of people standing out front, Los Angeles Police Officer Jeffrey Tiffin said.

A female relative of Ruiz’s was shot in the shoulder, Tiffin said.

The vehicle, which was traveling south on Island Avenue, then turned around, and within minutes, a person shot at the group again, Tiffin said.

Ruiz, who was helping her relative, was struck by gunfire. Both of the women were taken to a hospital.

Ruiz was pronounced dead at 9:35 p.m. The other woman is expected to survive her injuries.

“We don’t know who the target was,” Tiffin said, adding that Ruiz was providing aid when she was struck.

Neither Ruiz nor her relative are documented gang members, police said.

The area is territory for a Wilmington gang, which may have been targeting people nearby, Tiffin said.

Anyone with information can call Tiffin at (310) 726-7884. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.