Woman killed, man injured in shooting near Harbor City Pep Boys

HARBOR CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 31-year-old woman was killed and a man was injured in a shooting at an outdoor barbecue stand in Harbor City Friday afternoon.

Police say a gunman fired into the parking lot of the Pep Boys at Frampton Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway around 2 p.m. from about 15 to 20 yards away.

A mobile barbecue stand, Wheaton's Eatins BBQ, was set up in the parking lot and a woman working at the catering company was struck and killed.

A man working at Wheaton's was hit in the arm.

The male victim ran away, leaving a trail of blood on the ground, police said. The gunman briefly chased the man before fleeing on foot, police said.

The man was taken to a local hospital and his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

The woman, identified by her family as Jennifer Dickerson, 31, died at Harbor UCLA hospital.

Her family she worked at the barbecue stand on weekends to help her uncle out - one of three jobs she held, even as she aspired to be a rapper. She last performed at a club in Inglewood on Wednesday night.

"All of this has to be a dream because how can life be unfair like that?" asked her grieving mother, Valarie Holyfield.

Dickerson was the oldest of six children. One of her brothers was also killed 12 years ago.

"I don't understand what is happening here," her mother said. "This is the second time I have to bury a kid to street gun violence."

Police don't know a motive for the shooting or if the two victims knew each other.

Detectives are examining surveillance video from the Pep Boys, but witnesses said it appeared the gunman's face was covered with a bandanna or ski mask.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the victim's family with funeral expenses. To donate, click here.