That's when two men in a dark blue vehicle drove up and fired nine bullets at her, one striking her in the head. Then they drove off.
James was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her 3-year-old daughter sitting in the back seat was not physically harmed. The child's father picked her up later at the police station.
"She hadn't done anything wrong, why would you do this to her?" said the victim's cousin, Sharonda Conley. "You all need to come forward."
Friends said James was a nurse and a devoted mother.
Police said they believe she was a victim of gang violence.
The motive for the shooting remained unknown.
Anyone with information is urged to call Los Angeles police at (877) 527-3247.
