Woman Dies After Skid Row Shooting, Suspect Arrested for Murder
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A 38-year-old woman died at Los Angeles County - USC Hospital this afternoon one hour after being shot outside the Marshal House at 523 S. San Julian. Michelle Cato, 27, was arrested for murder just after the incident, which took place around 3:35pm.
"This appears to be a cold-blooded shooting," said Lt. Paul Vernon, who heads up the Central Detective Division, in a release. "The suspect shot this woman in full view of the victim’s 23-year-old son and dozens of bystanders."
Witnesses, including the son, chased Cato until she was grabbed by an LAPD motorcycle officer outside the Central Division station.
A motive is unknown. Cato was initially being held without bail due to a prior narcotics conviction, but Sheriff's department systems now show bail has now been set at $1 million. Records show that Cato was arrested on October 7 by Central Division, but was released the next day.
The murder is Downtown's fifth for 2009, and the first since a double murder on Easter Sunday. In 1990, Downtown had 46 murders. There were six in 2008.
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Central Division homicide detectives at (213) 972-1254. Callers can also phone the 24-hour number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).
Update (Tuesday, 9am): Corrected Cato's age and added updated bail information.
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The Dude on November 23, 2009, at 09:44PM – #1
The victim and son were not residents of Skid Row. The shooter has a prior narcotics conviction. LA needs to continue addressing the problem of the homeless. This is just so sad.
Dave Bullock (@eecue) on November 24, 2009, at 03:38PM – #2
I find it kind of shocking that there is one comment on this post about a woman shot and killed in front of her child in Skid Row, and the posts about a woman committing suicide have tons of comments.
Not difficult to understand. on November 25, 2009, at 06:29AM – #3
To Dave,
It is far more incomprehensible and shocking as to why a bright young person would kill herself. It is not so incomprehensible that anyone would get killed (or attacked to any degree) in skid row. In fact, it almost seems like a natural occurance. Sorry, but it's true. It's the wild west.
nanorich on November 25, 2009, at 10:03AM – #4
Or there are those among us who project their own hostility on to others, while remaining totally puzzled by the ability of others to empathize with those who suffer from things like crippling depression or an ever present desperation....