Carson shooting: 2 young victims were attending memorial for friend when struck by gunfire

CARSON, Calif. (KABC) -- A girl and a woman were shot and killed Sunday evening in Carson while attending a memorial for a friend, prompting a homicide investigation, authorities said.

Deputies responded to a residence after a caller reported the shooting shortly before 9 p.m. in the 2300 block of Alvo Avenue, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The deputies arrived at the scene to discover that the victims, each suffering from gunshot wounds to her upper torso, had already been taken to a hospital.

The girl and the woman were pronounced dead at the medical center, officials said.

Bullet holes were seen in one of the home's exterior walls at the scene.

Residents of house said the shooting occurred while they were at a memorial to offer condolences to a close family whose 26-year-old son had recently died of a sudden illness. Sunday's shooting victims were among the mourners who had been coming to the home to pay their respects.

Chiquita Babin, the aunt of the youngest victim, identified her as a 17-year-old Dalelaja Hearn who had just been accepted into college and had been visiting from Fresno.

Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting. A description of the shooter or a suspect vehicle was not available.