Woman identified after being fatally shot while driving in Sylmar; shooter at large

SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Authorities have identified a 34-year-old woman who was shot and killed in Sylmar as she was driving to work.

Eloise Elizarraraz was behind the wheel of a black BMW sedan when the shooting occurred Saturday morning at the intersection of Tripoli Avenue and Harding Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A nearby resident said her daughter heard a gunshot, but authorities said neighbors did not call 911. The vehicle drove onto the sidewalk after at least one round shattered the front driver-side window, drawing the attention of a passing motorist.

"Just prior to 9 o'clock, we had a witness who was coming home from work -- a registered nurse at a local hospital," police Lt. Mike Kozak said in an interview at the scene. "She saw the vehicle, approached it, saw the victim inside bleeding and rendered aid."

The good Samaritan, Brittney Irving, called 911.

"I really tried to help her," she said in an interview with Eyewitness News.

Irving was returning home from work when she noticed the vehicle on the sidewalk with the engine still running. As she approached, she saw Elizarraraz slumped over in her seat.

With her brother's help, Irving pulled Elizarraraz out of the car and administered CPR -- that's when she noticed the 34-year-old had been shot in the neck.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were summoned to the scene, where Elizarraraz was pronounced dead.

Homicide detectives from the LAPD's Valley Bureau conducted an investigation at the scene. They determined the mother of three had gotten into her car about 8:30 a.m. and was driving to a new job, her first day as a dental assistant for a local dentist, when the gunfire occurred.

Detectives said Elizarraraz lived in South L.A. but had spent Friday night at a friend's house in Sylmar.

On Monday, a small memorial marked the spot where she was found -- this as investigators worked to find her killer.

No description was available of the shooter or shooters, who remained at large.

"I hope the authorities really catch the person responsible for this because that menace needs to be taken off the street," said another witness.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call LAPD Detective Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925.