A 20-year-old mother was killed by a stray bullet while sleeping next to her 1-year-old daughter in their Los Angeles home. The shooting occurred around 3:35 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, in the Vermont Vista neighborhood.
Maria Barrios Ventura was identified as the victim by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Her boyfriend told NBC Los Angeles that they were sleeping in the same bed when a bullet passed through their window, striking Ventura. He stated that seven additional shots were fired, and she died approximately 10 minutes later.
Police arriving at the scene found Ventura with gunshot wounds, reportedly to the head. Paramedics attempted to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another individual, Jose Chavez, told NBC LA that his car was also hit by gunfire during the incident.
Family members have started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses, including returning Ventura's body to her home country of Guatemala, and to support her young daughter. A family member wrote on the GoFundMe page that the sudden loss has left the family devastated and struggling to cope. The fundraising goal is $13,000, with the family noting that they have little local support as most of their relatives live in Guatemala.
