2 suspects sought in brutal murder of grandmother on Christmas Day in Inglewood

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Authorities are looking for two suspects accused of a brutal Christmas Day murder in Inglewood.

The victim was identified as 70-year-old Lourdes Padilla.

"Ms. Padilla was a mother and a grandmother. All she was doing was walking down the street on Christmas. It was incomprehensible that anyone would even have bothered her, let alone shot her for her purse," Mayor James Butts said.

Investigators tracked the suspects in multiple states in California, Nevada and Arizona. Police are investigating a motive, saying the tragic crime could have been a random act of senseless violence.

They said the violence unfolded when 20-year-old Donovan Bingaman drove up to the 70-year-old victim while she was on foot at Yukon Avenue and 104th Street in the afternoon hours. Investigators believe 29-year-old Lizet Martinez then got out of the vehicle and attacked the senior citizen in an attempt to grab her purse.

When the victim refused to give up without a fight, authorities said Martinez fatally shot Padilla.

"The grandmother has pictures of her children and grandchildren - things that were of value to her and no one else," Butts said.

Detectives said they nabbed the suspects' getaway car in Nevada, but the pair remain on the run. Authorities want the public to be on the lookout for both, who could still be in Los Angeles or somewhere in California.

Investigators believe they have ties to the Los Angeles area, but did not elaborate further.

The victim's family was too distraught to be present for a news conference, but issued a statement.

"We would like to thank everyone who prayed for our mother and our family. She was a woman of faith who shared her love as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. We only ask for your prayers during this time of healing," it said.

Anyone with more information is urged to call the L.A. Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.