A 54-year-old woman who was killed by her ex-boyfriend during a domestic dispute in their Bellflower apartment was identified Thursday.
The victim in the shooting was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s office as Tamica Gant Lawrence. Lawrence was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man, who was the object of a restraining order, also shot and wounded the woman’s adult son and then killed himself, authorities said.
The shootings occurred at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 8500 block of Artesia Boulevard, where Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded regarding a shots fired call, according to the LASD.
“When deputies arrived, they contacted a 26-year-old male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the hip,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
“The male victim stated he was in his bedroom when the suspect forced entry into the apartment then entered his room and shot him,” the statement said. “The suspect then turned towards the victim’s mother’s room. As the male victim was exiting the apartment, he heard his mother scream and a second gunshot.”
While they were with the wounded man, the deputies “suddenly heard a single gunshot come from inside the apartment,” the sheriff’s statement said.
“The deputies made a tactical entry into the apartment and found a 54-year-old female suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and a 59-year-old male suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.”
“The female victim and the suspect had a prior dating relationship,” the sheriff’s statement said. “Earlier in the day, the female victim filed a restraining order against the suspect at the Whittier courthouse, protecting her and her adult son.”
Lawrence’s ex-boyfriend also died at the scene. The woman’s son was taken to a hospital.
Anyone with information on the case was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Caller who wish to remain anonymous may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to the website lacrimestoppers.org.