Search continues for 8-year-old's killers

SOUTH LOS ANGELES Eight-year-old Jasmine Sanders was playing in the courtyard of her apartment building on 76th and San Pedro when she was shot dead around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday night, family and friends of the young girl held a candlelight vigil, where Jasmine's mother pleaded for her daughter's killers to turn themselves in.

Click in the Eyewitness News Story Window above to watch Leslie Sykes' report from the scene, including an interview with the victim's parents.

Police say suspected gang members walked up through an alley and opened fire into a crowd. Jasmine was hit by a stray bullet and transported in critical condition to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Jasmine's mother Shadonna Kinney is seeking justice for her daughter.

"I say that this ain't right to the mothers of these senseless, crazy demons. Just look at what you have raised. And you best believe that karma come back, karma will come back. And whoever did this to my baby, you ain't gonna walk it for long, you ain't gonna walk this turf for long 'cuz I'm a child of God, and my baby is too, and she didn't deserve this," Kinney said.

Police have been questioning witnesses and searching for the suspects since the shooting Wednesday night. Jasmine's family is understandably distraught.

Jasmine's father and other relatives say they want answers and an end to the killings in their community.

"She was daddy's little girl. I just wanted my daughter to grow up and be something. I wanted her to be better then daddy was," said Jasmine's dad, James Sanders.

People that live in the area say the crime is inescapable, depressing and unfortunately not uncommon.

"I have been going through it for 13 years, the shootings. Kids can't come outside at all and they live here," said neighbor Deonte Perry.

Community leaders are calling an end to the violence.

"This is just horrific and reckless -- people who I guess were playing God. All I can do is to ask people in the community and anybody who has knowledge of this to tell us the names of the people who did this and tell us where they are," said Councilwoman Jan Perry.

The suspects were described as two African-American males, possibly in their late teens or early 20s, wearing white T-shirts and dark pants. The two were last seen running northbound in a nearby alley.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vows that everything possible will be done to find the two suspected gang members who shot and killed Jasmine.

"It boggles the mind that somebody, two individuals, would be, is irresponsible as they were, and I can tell you this, we are going to do everything possible to investigate this matter, to bring these individuals to justice," said Mayor Villaraigosa.

Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD at (877) LAW-FULL or (877) 529-3855.

 

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