Pregnant woman, 25, killed after being shot in the head on her way to a party in Los Angeles

A pregnant Los Angeles woman was shot and killed while sitting in a car next to her father on her way to a birthday party.

Marissa Perez, 25, was four months pregnant when she was shot multiple times, including once in the head, while waiting at an intersection in Artesia.

A car pulled into the passenger side of the vehicle and shot into the vehicle in what investigators say was a “targeted” killing.

“I want justice for my daughter, I want justice for my grandchild,” said Sandra Tolentino, Perez’s mother, in an interview.

Marissa Perez, 25, was shot dead in Los Angeles while heading to a birthday party with her father

The 25-year-old is pictured in a heartbreaking photo showing her ultrasound before she died

“I want justice for my daughter, I want justice for my grandchild,” said Perez’s mother, Sandra Tolentino

Perez was pregnant with her first child and was due in June (pictured), her family said

The shooting took place around 7:30 p.m. on December 29 near the intersection of Pioneer Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene after a car pulled up next to Perez and shot the vehicle.

As of Wednesday, January 4, no arrests have been made in the case and no individuals have been named by law enforcement officials.

As investigators continue to search for Perez’s killer, the woman’s family members have come forward urging the public to share any information that could lead to the arrest of the person who abducted their loved one.

‘He doesn’t deserve to walk these streets. He needs to be behind bars for the rest of his life,” Tolentino said in an interview with ABC7.

The grieving mother choked back sobs as she spoke to local media alongside another family member and the father of her daughter’s baby, Andrew.

Perez was four months pregnant when she was shot multiple times, including once in the head, while waiting in her car at an intersection in LA’s Artesia neighborhood

“She was 25. She was due to be a mother in five months. She was so happy,” Tolentino said

Perez (second from left) alongside several family members

“She was 25. She was due to be a mother in five months. She was so happy,” Tolentino said.

“She was super excited. She seemed like a whole new person, I’ve never seen my sister shine so brightly,” said Marissa’s brother, Isaac Tolentino.

“She should never have been taken away from us like that,” said the mother.

April Perez, Marissa’s aunt, had spoken to her niece just before the shooting.

In an interview with KTLA, April said Perez called her to confirm the details of the party and told her she would be arriving no later than 7 p.m.

Perez’s boyfriend was the first to sound the alarm, calling the woman’s aunt and asking if she’d made it to the party.

“Her boyfriend calls me and says, ‘Did Marissa do it already,’ and I say ‘no,’ and then he hangs up,” April told the local news outlet.

“She was just an innocent person who didn’t deserve to be murdered so brutally, or her baby,” April said.

“She had such a life ahead of her and it’s killing me that we can’t have that next chapter. Don’t hold grudges and just love, love so much because you just never know when the last time you’re going to say goodbye,” the woman’s mother said.

A GoFundMe launched after her death has raised more than $28,000 of its $30,000 goal as of Jan. 4.

“Marissa was expecting the greatest blessing, a baby in June,” reads a GoFundMe created by her family.

Perez has been described by friends and family as “the most loyal, loving, outgoing and strong person”.

“Nothing prepared us for this immense sense of loss and sadness,” the fundraising page’s description reads.

“Nothing prepared us for this immense sense of loss and sadness,” the fundraising page’s description reads

Hundreds have donated to the campaign being made for the young woman’s family and dozens have left comments remembering and honoring her life.

“Little girl, may you and your sweet angel rest in peace. Society has failed you and I am so sorry that you encountered such evil people. My condolences to the Perez family. Que Dios Los Bendiga xx Let’s be kinder to each other Raza. Let’s pray that justice is done for Marissa and her baby,” one commenter wrote.

“Marissa, you were loved so much by so many. May you and your baby rest in everlasting peace. Thank you for shining so brightly in this world,” said another person who donated.

“My condolences to the family. May God comfort everyone affected by their loss,” another person wrote.

A temporary memorial has now been erected in a shopping center near the scene of the crime. Photos and video from the scene show candles, balloons and flowers in honor of the woman.

“I love you 4ever,” read a candle placed at the memorial. “My eternal sister-in-law, I love you,” read another message from a loved one.

This is the intersection where Perez was shot in Los Angeles

Perez was on her way to a party for her aunt (right) when she was killed

This is a photo of Perez and her aunt posted on TikTok in a tribute video

Perez’s boyfriend is grieving after losing his girlfriend and expected child

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting. Perez’s family says law enforcement has said they don’t believe it was accidental, but no motive was provided.

“It wasn’t a coincidence, we know that. It wasn’t a coincidence,” said Sandra Tolentino.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stopper at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

The horrifying shooting comes amid what appears to be an ongoing crime spree in Los Angeles.

Since December 2020, homicides, robberies and violent crime assaults in LA have increased 8.3 percent in two years.

Homicides in the city are up 7.8 percent this year compared to 2020 so far, with 373 cases reported.

Robberies have increased by 13.2 percent and aggravated assaults by 7.7 percent over the past two years.

In the past two years, total violent crime in Los Angeles has increased by 8.3 percent