Samantha Padilla, 19

Samantha Padilla, 19, a Latina woman, was mortally wounded on the 110 Freeway offramp in South L.A. about 12:15 a.m. Thursday, April 10. According to police, Padilla had exited the northbound Harbor Freeway and was at a stop light when a brown Ford Bronco, 1990 or 1991 model, pulled alongside her car. The occupant of the Bronco fired several rounds at Padilla's car, hitting her several times. Officers from the LAPD's Newton Division responded to a radio call of shots fired and found Padilla wounded but alive. She was taken by ambulance to California hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:46 p.m. Los Angeles Times story.

Update: Police have arrested Jessica Ortega, 30, a Latina woman, on suspicion of murder. Police said Ortega is a resident from the Ramona Gardens housing project in Boyle Heights. Authorities said Ortega is an alleged gang member with the Playboys street gang. Authorities claimed the motive for the shooting was to further her gang's activities. Read L.A. Times story for more on Ortega.

Comments

[how can it be]

I often read these blogs and see how many young people are losing their lives. I often think to my self "better that gang member than my nieces, my nephews my daughth, who are to young to know what is going on." I do not promote eye for an eye, but I wish these cities would be safe for those who live here, who are REALLY trying to make something of themselves.

I remember hearing about Samantha, crying for a young girl who I did not know. I cried because I was angry to see that today people cannot live free. No matter how hard you try to make your life better there is someone always trying to hurt you. The woman that killed Samantha did it for her gang... Samantha's life was lost for a gang... a gang.

Samantha I am sorry for your lost... you deserved better. I apologize for the wrongs that someone committed towards you.. I did not know your killer, but I asure you, your life was not lost in vain.

[VIRGINIA]

R.I.P SAMMY MY PRAYERS GO TO YOU AND YOURS I HAVE A DAUGHTER NAMED SAMANTHA DOMINIQUE THAT I LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART THE PERSON THAT DID THIS TO YOU WILL GET THEIRS.

[vanessa reyes]

ME AND SAMANTHA USE 2 GO 2 CHORCH 2GETHER AND WHEN I HEARD THAT SHE DIED I WAS CRYING SO BAD I KNEW SAMANTHA 4 ABOUT 3 YEARS SHE WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND A COOL PERSON 2 TALK 2 SHE WAS LIKE MY BEST FRIEND IDK WHY SOMEONE WOULD DO THIS 2 HER. SHE REALLY DIDNT DISERVE THIS ND WHOEVER DID THIS IS GONNA PAY BACK WHAT THEY DID 2 MY HOMEGURL  AND THATS FOR SHURE  WELL SAMANTHA WE REALLY MISS YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS B IN OUR HEARTS                                                  LOVE, VANESSA REYES

[Vanessa Ochoa]

SAMANTHA AND I GREW UP TOGETHER AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT SHE WAS THE BEST FRIEND YOU COULD HAVE SWEET CARING AND VERY HUMBLE. I CRIED JUST NOW AS I READ COMMENTS POSTED BEFORE ME. IT STILL FEELS AS A BAD DREAM THAT IM WAITING ON WAKING UP FROM. AS I SAW HER AT HER WAKE IT HURT ME TO REALIZE THAT I WONT HAVE HER COMPANY PHYSICALLY HOWEVER I KNOW I WILL SOMEDAY BE BESIDES HER.. YOU ALWAYS SEE CASES LIKE THIS ON TV BUT IT NEVER TRULY IMPACTS YOU UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW. SAMMYY I LOVE YOU MISS YOU AND ALWAYS WILL.. ILL SEE YOU SOMEDAY MAMAZ... LOVE, VANESSA

[nancy padilla]

REST IN PARADISE...SAMANTHA U WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED

[Crystal Guerrero]

Samantha,
Even though we didn't meet in life, your story has truly affected me. As a 23 year old,it made me realize how short life is and above all how unfair it is at times. Yet life is truly beautiful. I'm sure you touched the lives of many and the ones that had the opportunity to meet you, will never forget you. My condolences to Samantha's family. She's really beautiful & a perfect example of what a young latina should be today; hardworking and most important kind to her peers. I would like to take the opportunity to to send my condolences to Gretchen Lares (Torrance, CA) who also lost her 19 year old daughter Natalie in a car shooting (October 2004). The shooting occured at a red light, at around 6pm. No one came foward with any information. I love you Gretchen. May God bless you. Samantha & Natalie rest in peace.

[SYLENA]

FRIST MY CONDOLESENCE GO'S OUT TO THE FAMIELY. IM A 36 YEAR OF AGE AND A BLACK FEMALE CAN'T BELIVE THAT THEY KILL A 19 TEEN YEAR OLD YOUNG LADY FOR INTITATION AND THE SUSPECT IS 30 SHE WAS PUNK 4 F"ING WTTH A YOUNG LADY THAT WAS ONLY 19 TEEN I HOPE THAT WHEN SHE GET TO PRISON THEY TEACH HER A GOOD LESSION ABOUT TRYING TO GAND BANG AT THE AGE OF 30 AND KILLING SOME ONE CHILD .MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILEY.

[Alex]

It upsets me for the mere fact that Samantha had was an innocent victim of violence. She had her whole life ahead of her. She was a hard working young lady and was just having fun with her friends and family. "gangbangers just dont care who you are anymore" and they should pay the highest price for killing an innocent person.

[latinatexas]

This has the be one of the top most dangerous city in America.....LA............Chicago...............Detroit...........LA IS NO JOKE.........MOVE

[dodgers lady]

sammy we will miss you so much.
may you rest in peace our little angel

[steve johnson]

A comment earlier stated that this murder was gang related, a gang initiation. Is this true? Where can this be verified? An initiation into what gang? Can the gang be sued by the family for damages, or put out of business through civil or legal action as a result? Could the gang not be charged with consiracy to commit murder, and its leaders charged with criminal and civil counts?

[steve johnson]

Questions: At what off ramp of the freeway did this occur?Where exactly was she shot?

[Marcos]

i went to Hooper Elementary School with her 5th grade same class Ms.Crockett class its just hard to believe.. :( May You Rest in Peace Samantha Padilla

[Jenifer]

First of all I'll start by saying RIP Sammy she was a very friendly person and it would've never cross my mind for her to die like this at a young age. Ever since I met her for the first time when we we're 15 she was a happy person. Had alot of friends that will always remember her as a happy loving person. To the family my most condolesence and know that God has her and we will see her in heaven. She's an angel now and watching over those who loved her. That woman who killed her has no heart and she will go thru more in jail in life than in death in hell and she deserves it for being such a heartless person. We love you Samantha and wiil always live in our hearts for ever.Much Love sweet angel........

[smartone]

im just glad they made an arrest and will arrest the other lowlifes soon i hope.samantha was 19 and trying to better herself by working and the woman arrested is the complete opposite,shes 30 yrs old and a bunch of kids already and gangbanging? i dont think her life and 100 more lifes like her would pay for just a portion of what samantha was worth in life..problem is.the DA will probably offer her a deal if she cooperates and rat on the others as they usually do.she will get just a short jail term instead of the electric chair she bought herself when accepting to drive out and cowardly assault an innocent and unsuspecting person..

[yank283]

A gang initiation for a 30 year old woman? My condolences to the family, what a tragedy for her to be taken so young and so thoughtlessly.

[ERIKA]

ITS AMAZING HOW SOMEONE COLD JUST KILL AN INNOCENT PERSON LIKE THAT THATS JUST COLD BLOODED . THEY TOOK A PART OF FAMILY BY TAKING SAMMY. I REALLY HOPE JESSICA ORTEGA GETS WHAT SHE DISEREVES SHE SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE DESTROYING FAMILIES JUST A REMINDER THAT JAIL IS NO JOKE AND I HOPE THE PRISONERS HAVE NO PITTY FOR LIKE SHE DIDNT HAVE ANY BY TAKE MY COUSIN AWAY. ITS ASHAME TO SEE THIS HAPPENING IN LA AND EVEN WORSE TO MY FAMILY. AND TO THINK SHE HAS A FAMILY THATS WHAT YOU CALL A HEARTLESS WOMAN RIGHT THERE I HOPE SHE BURNS IN HELL. R.I.P. MY CUZIN SAMMY WE LOVE YA PRIMA AND WE WONT REST TILL JUSTICE IS SERVED R.I.P. MY CUZIN SAMMY 6-17-88 - 4-10-08 AN ANGEL GONE TO HEAVEN A LIFE WAS TAKEN FROM SUCH A YOUNG AND INNOCENT GIRL LIFE ISNT FAIR

[Jerry Blakeney]

it's ashame this young woman had to die by the hands of these EVIL and ANGRY individuals that are constantly roaming our neighborhoods and streets. This is another incident that shows the criminal system is not working. This young woman was a victim of the constant violence that is in our streets and communities.

[Derrick]

Another senseless murder of a innocent young woman going home after work. Talk about cold blooded, firing at the lady as she is stopped at a traffic light. The people responsible for this murder should be punished severely. They have already made one arrest which is good.

[Abigail Sanchez]

My condolences to Samantha's family. I can't help but to feel sad for the perpetrator's family as well. Apparently this person thought they could get away with it & didn't think about their own loved ones. So much heartache!

[amico]

I read with great sadness of the bloodshed that is again taking place in Southern California. I think of "La Familia" brown, black, it does not matter, for a real parent, it is someones precious young one. Brother's and Sisters it is time to do some serious soul searching. Time is not on our side where we can just watch and hope it will all end by itself. It is time to lay down the differences, the hate, the lack of respect for human life, the racist attitudes. It is also time to put down the drugs that are tearing apart "La Familia" in the communities right before our eyes, the drugs and alcohol that we medicate ourselves with. The drugs used to numb the fear of hurting another persons parents, son or daughter, that we are convinced is our enemy and therefore not worth living. The adverse effects of the drugs will wear off soon there after, we will never again sleep in peace and we will forever be looking over our shoulder. And as sure as the sun will rise again, we also will have to face a day of reckoning, only in a different court not made with human hands. It is time to take it to the streets, every community, beginning with the brown and black communities. That includes East L.A proper, and all of South Central L.A. if you occupy any home or apartment you need to take this seriously. We have marched down " The Whittier Boulevard" and "Atlantic Boulevard" when one of our people was slain in the 70's. We stood up together as a community, and marched with great passion proclaiming that injustice will not be tolerated any longer in our communities. Need I mention the great leader Cesar Chavez and his love for people and justice. I also believe that those who are behind bars must do everything in there power to influence the young people they come into contact with for the better. We all must emphasize respect for one another and human life. The brown and black people need to come together in peace and begin to share each others ideas, hopes, and dreams that they have for family community. The Bible declares clearly that without a vision the people parish. It is time for strong leaders, men and women, young people brown and black, for starters, to lay out a plan, set a standard of respect, honor, trust, in the home, in the community and for those in authority. Peacefully assembling together in the town hall or community park for the sole purpose of putting together a vision that will include all members of the community. A real desire to change things around for the good of all members of the community must be at the forefront. Every community member must be able and willing to participate, even if you happen to be behind bars, cause I guarantee that someone is affecting your family also. Imagine brothers and sisters what an awesome State California can really be, when there is respect for human life and for each other. When the youth actually are running with a clear vision of what it means to succeed. The sudden realization in the inside of children and young people, that what they hope and dream for is possible with determination and hard work. I believe the mayor of L.A, the honorable Mr. Villaraigosa, has great ideas for Southern California, and that he really cares about the State in general. I hope that we can see and appreciate his leadership abilities and that he can take the State and L.A, to a higher level of living for everyone. Brother's and Sister's, I propose to you that Mr. Villaraigosa cannot accomplish it alone. With the men and women, the families, the youth in the commnuities taking it to the streets in an orderly and peaceful but determined spirit, declaring that enough is enough, and doing what has already been addressed in the beginning of this letter. Brothers and Sister's we must take action now, when is enough going to be enough? The communities must put together a vision that will include every family, and every family must become accountable and then stick with it no fighting from within or without. Remember the values that need to be held to the highest esteem beginning with respect for human life. I hope and pray that entire communities feel the same way as I do. I do not lay the blame on anyone at this time, but everyone will continue to suffer with greater intensity if we do not take action, and then everyone will be to blame. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob help us at this great hour of need in Los Angeles a truly beautiful city.

[Didyouknow?]

It is sad and what's sadder is that the motive for the shooting was gang initation--to further the murder's involfement with the gang!

IT WAS A GANG INTITATION KILLING AND THEY CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, ANYWHERE!!

[siccofit]

this is sooo sad!!what a beautiful youg lady. her pictures look like she was a superstar.the photo of that car flashing on the news make me wonder. why would someone shoot up that car like that? this does not look random.it looks more like a massacre. what pathetic person. i hope the coward the cops caught is punished to the fullest extent of the law!!!peace and prayers to the family.

[Virginia]

I seen it on the morning news on friday morning I just cant believe people out their loose killing innocent people my prayers go out to family.

[kim smith]

it saddens me that this young womans life was cut short in such a vicious way. i heard on the 11 o'clock breaking news that the family turned the suspect in who happen to be another woman. what is our city coming to that woman are now turning into monsters themselves. i have absolutely no pity for her but thank the family for turning her in i'm sure it was a hard and hurtful decision to make and do and that is what alot of us need to do is when we know of someone who has committed a crime family member or not turn them in to safer our communities.to the family i know the hurt you are feeling i too had a love one in january 2008 mortally wounded by for women in gardena the pain is still their but if you belive in god and have faith he will strengthen you each day and you have good everlasting memories of your love one.