Girl, 13, shot in leg while waiting at South Los Angeles bus stop in surge of gang violence

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 13-year-old girl was shot in the leg by an apparent stray bullet while she was waiting at a bus stop in South Los Angeles on Tuesday. The incident marked the 16th shooting in four days in the area.

According to Los Angeles police, the girl was taken to an area hospital, where she was listed in stable condition. Authorities said a person of interest was detained, but no one was arrested.

The incident occurred at around 7 a.m. in the 9200 block of South Central Avenue.

Investigators believe the girl was an innocent bystander who was caught in the middle of a gang-related shooting between the person of interest and others in a white SUV nearby. The car was described as either a Yukon or a Tahoe.

Meanwhile, the last four days have been so violent and deadly in South L.A. that the LAPD has gone on modified tactical alert in the area.

Since the weekend, police have responded to 10 shootings, two that involved officers opening fire. They are also investigating four murders. Investigators say most of the violence has been gang-related.

"We've had some incidents in that area within the last 12 hours or so and we believe that this is connected to some type of gang feud that we have between neighboring gangs," said LAPD Detective Peter Verschueren.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has deployed dozens of extra officers to the area.

"We are also placing the entire Los Angeles Police Department in uniform starting next shift and we will continue this posture until we see some letup," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

Carver Middle School officials say their hearts and prayers go out to the 13-year-old victim, who happens to be one of their budding scholars and the president of her eighth-grade class.

"When things like this happen to good people, it's heartbreaking and right away you think the worst. Luckily, she is going to be fine and we are happy about that," said Carver Middle School principal Luz Cotto. "We shouldn't have to worry about these kinds of things."

The investigation was ongoing.