Reward offer in monthslong search for young woman’s killer
A reward is being offered Tuesday as authorities continue to search for whoever fatally shot 22-year-old Raejonette Morgan near the 105 Freeway in the West Athens neighborhood of Los Angeles last year.
The $10,000 reward will be officially announced during a morning news conference attended by Morgan’s mother and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
-
The heartbroken family of a woman killed in a shooting near the 105 Freeway is holding a candlelight vigil in her memory as they seek justice for her death. (KTLA) -
Raejonette Morgan is seen in a family photo. -
Police and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in South L.A. on July 2, 2024. (Citizen App) -
Police and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in South L.A. on July 2, 2024. (Citizen App) -
Police and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in South L.A. on July 2, 2024. (Citizen App)
Morgan was shot and killed on Vermont Avenue as she approached the 105 Freeway in her white Mercedes-Benz around 7:45 p.m. on July 2, 2024.
Investigators believe Morgan was the innocent victim of gang violence and was mistaken for someone else when the suspect’s vehicle drove up to her driver’s side and opened fire.
Morgan was struck several times, causing her to crash near the 105 Freeway onramp. The suspect continued southbound on Vermont Avenue.
She was rushed to Harbor UCLA Medical Center, where she died two days later.
Controversy surfaced shortly after the shooting when a video circulated on social media described the police response as “an absolute failure.”
The Sheriff’s Department said it would conduct a “critical incident review” of the deputy’s response, equipment, training and tactics to determine if department policies and procedures were followed.
It was unclear if the results of that investigation will be mentioned during Tuesday’s news conference.
The Board of Supervisors is offering the reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect, or suspects, involved in Morgan’s killing.
The news conference will be streamed live on the Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page at 10 a.m.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made at Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-8477 or by using the lacrimestoppers.org website.