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Selene Patricia Mayoral, 24

Selene Patricia Mayoral (2012-09-06)

Selene Patricia Mayoral, a 24-year-old Latina, was fatally shot Thursday, Sept. 6, in the 4100 block of Alma Avenue in Lynwood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Lt. Holly Francisco of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Mayoral was shot about 11:15 p.m. when a deputy sheriff tried to stop a car. The deputy saw a flash and heard a gunshot coming from the vehicle, which then bolted from the scene and sped off, she said.

With several deputies eventually in pursuit, the car slowed at one point and the driver pushed Mayoral's body out of the car and onto the road at Josephine Street and Harris Avenue in Lynwood, Francisco said.

A few deputies left the chase to attend to Mayoral, who was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the torso.

Other deputies chased the car for about 10 miles into Hawthorne, where the driver, later identified as Juan Diego Valencia, 28, ran away, Francisco said. He barricaded himself in an apartment in the 14000 block of Chadron Avenue, where he had been staying recently, she said.

Special Enforcement deputies and a crisis negotiation team arrived and evacuated several nearby apartments, Francisco said. About 1:20 a.m., Valencia surrendered to deputies without further incident. Valencia was arrested and charged with the murder.

Early Friday, Francisco said, investigators were still working the different crime scenes, and were still not clear as to the motive in the shooting.

"We're unsure of the relationship between suspect and the victim," Francisco said.

Anyone with more information about the shooting is asked to contact Dets. Loman and Hoglund at the Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Sam Quinones

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