Samantha Padilla, 19
Samantha Padilla, 19, a Latino woman, was mortally wounded on the 110 Freeway off-ramp in South L.A. about 12:15 a.m. Thursday, April 10.
According to police, Padilla had exited the northbound Harbor Freeway and was at a stop light when a brown Ford Bronco, 1990 or 1991 model, pulled alongside her car. An occupant of the Bronco fired at Padilla's car, hitting her several times.
Officers from the LAPD's Newton Division responded to a radio call of shots fired and found Padilla wounded but alive. She was taken by ambulance to California Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:46 p.m.
Update: Police have arrested Jessica Ortega, 30, a Latino woman, on suspicion of murder. Police said Ortega is a resident of the Ramona Gardens housing project in Boyle Heights and an alleged gang member with the Playboys street gang.
Authorities said the motive for the shooting was to further her gang's activities.
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