New Year’s Eve gunfire injures 74-year-old Gardena woman

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A 74-year-old Gardena woman was injured in the foot and a Compton woman’s car was hit by gunfire in New Year’s Eve firearm-discharge incidents reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday there were 93 incidents of possible firearms discharged during New Year’s celebrations in areas it patrols. The shootings took place from 8 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday, in unincorporated areas of the county and the 42 cities the Sheriff’s Department patrols.

Sheriff Lee Baca and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck held a news conference last week to air their concerns about New Year’s celebratory gunfire. Thousands of fliers and posters warning “Don’t Shoot” were distributed.

Bullets can go as high as two miles into the air and come down with enough speed to wound someone. On July 4, 1999, a 9-year-old boy was killed when bullet came out of the sky and hit him in the head as he was watching fireworks.

Sheriff’s deputies also use the ShotSpotter, which uses noise sensors to track the location of gunshots, which has helped reduce the number of New Year’s Eve incidents.

ALSO:

Southern California Moments: Best reader photos of 2012

Laguna Beach is first Orange County city to enact plastic bag ban

Miley Cyrus slams paparazzi in death of Justin Bieber photographer

-- Jeff Gottlieb