The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a series of events that left a woman dead and a man in critical condition following a suicide attempt.
According to an LASD bulletin, the suspect – only identified as a Hispanic man – confronted a female Hispanic victim and another man inside the latter’s residence in Lancaster around 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
“The suspect produced a firearm and shot one round into the male adult’s residence,” the LASD bulletin stated. “There were no injuries at this time.”
The suspect and victim – believed to be an estranged couple – then left the location together in the victim’s vehicle, deputies said. While driving, the couple got into a verbal altercation and stopped the car at the intersection of East Avenue H and Challenger Way just under 15 minutes after the first incident, LASD confirmed.
“At approximately 12:29 a.m., while involved in a verbal argument, the suspect and victim exited the vehicle,” deputies said. “The suspect again produced the firearm and shot the victim, killing her.”
“[He] then drove away in the victim’s vehicle, leaving [her] at the scene,” LASD added.
Less than two hours later, the man drove himself to the Palmdale residence of a family member of the female victim and attempted suicide in her vehicle, authorities said.
“He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for an apparent gunshot wound [and] is currently listed under critical condition,” LASD stated just after 10 a.m. Sunday.
No additional information was immediately available, and the investigation remains in its preliminary stages.
If you have information surrounding the incident, you are asked to contact the LASD’s Homicide Bureau by calling 323-890-5500.