Woman, 49, Fatally Shot During Apparent Burglary

A 49-year-old woman was shot to death Wednesday afternoon, apparently during a burglary attempt, police said.

Maria Casillas was found in her bed in her ground-floor apartment in the 15000 block of Parthenia Street with a gunshot wound to the upper torso, said Los Angeles Police Det. Marshall White.

“This looks like a burglary at this time, but that could all change,” White said.

Two windows facing Parthenia Street were wide open and their screens were lying on the ground and marked as evidence. White said he could not be sure whether the killer entered or exited through the windows.

There was no sign of a struggle, White said.

Casillas lived in the apartment with her husband, who was working at the time of the incident.

He returned home as police were investigating the crime scene and wept when he was told the news.

The apartment building is just below a freeway overpass and a few feet from Orion Avenue, in the heart of a neighborhood notorious for its drug trade and gangs.