The victim, described only as an African-American woman, died at the scene. Her name was withheld pending notification of her family.
The woman was found next to a car with its hood up, but it is unclear if the vehicle belonged to the victim or if she was having car problems.
"The incident occurred about 8:26 p.m. at the 1400 block of East Florence Avenue in the city of Los Angeles. Our victim is a female black adult. And our homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of this woman," said L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Aura Sierra.
No arrests have been made in the case.
Sheriff's investigators are asking for the public's help as they try to piece together what happened. Anyone with information regarding the murder is urged to call the L.A. County Sheriff's Department at (323) 890-5500.