College student fatally shot while sitting in car in Gardena; shooter at large

GARDENA, Calif. (KABC) -- An investigation was underway Friday afternoon after a college student was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle in Gardena, police said.

Firefighters responded to a call of a possible shooting in the parking lot of a shopping center near the intersection of 135th Street and Crenshaw Boulevard at about 1:20 p.m., and found the victim still seated in his BMW.

Kody Cook, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardena police say the suspect or suspects walked up to the victim, fired several shots, and then possibly fled on foot. A description of the suspects was not immediately available.

Neighbor Al Jefferson identified the victim as an El Camino College student, between 18 and 19 years old, with a bright future ahead of him.

"I've known his family for over 20 years," Jefferson said. "He's one of the good kids. He don't gangbang, he doesn't cause any problems, he's just a normal kid. Now what caused all this? I don't have a clue."

Crenshaw Boulevard was closed between 135th Street and El Segundo Boulevard as Gardena police investigated.

Detectives are looking to interview witnesses and are combing through surveillance footage from nearby cameras in hopes of finding leads. Anyone with further information was urged to contact the Gardena Police Department.