$10,000 reward offered in July 4 South L.A. murder of 14-year-old

The county of Los Angeles is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunmen who killed a 14-year-old girl during a July 4 family celebration in the Westmont area near South L.A.

The shooting also wounded the 12-year old female cousin of Unique Russell and a 25-year-old man, but both survived.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said two men, 18 to 25 years old, fired at the crowd and were seen fleeing the scene on the 1300 block of W. 97th Street.

The shooting was part of a particularly bloody July 4 in South Los Angeles area, with eight other shootings and two other homicides, authorities said.

The county Board of Supervisors earlier this week authorized the reward in Unique's death, and officials described the incident as particularly brutal.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

To provide information anonymously, call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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-- Larry Gordon

Photo: Candles placed by neighbors burn at a makeshift memorial where shooting victim 14-year-old Unique Russell was killed. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times.