Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives reached out to the public for help Thursday finding the attacker or attackers responsible for the death of a woman who was shot while driving near the Gramercy Park area last year.
Lanai Dees, 21, of Inglewood, was fatally shot around 12:40 a.m. Nov. 17, 2024, while driving in an alley near the 2000 block of West Century Boulevard, according to the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff’s officials said Dees was driving her white Mercedes when she was struck in the head by gunfire apparently originating from a dark-colored SUV.
Dees’ car continued west after the shooting and crashed into a concrete staircase in the alley south of Century and South Gramercy Place. Dees, a nursing student, was found inside the car and pronounced dead at the scene.
Los Angeles County is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the case.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Dees’ mother, Dahlin, called the assailants “cowards.”
“My baby didn’t deserve this, and we need justice,” she said, fighting back tears.
Dahlin added, “It’s hard to walk past her room every day knowing that she won’t come out and say, `Good morning, mom. I love you, mom.”’
Her grandfather, Odis Sneed, said Dees was “gunned down in the street like a dog,” and he urged anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting death was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.