Girl, 15, Shot to Death, Two Friends Wounded

A teenage girl was shot to death, and two teenagers were seriously wounded, early Sunday in Compton after being confronted by suspected gang members, authorities said.

Elvira Ramirez, 15, died at a hospital, said Sheriff’s Deputy Faye Bugarin. The two friends were hospitalized in stable condition, she said.

The shooting at North Paulsen Avenue and Peach Street occurred about 12:30 a.m. shortly after two men approached the teenagers and asked if they belonged to a gang, Bugarin said. A 15-year-old boy said they didn’t, but the gunman shot the teenagers anyway, she said.

Police described one suspect as 22 years old, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall with shoulder-length braids. The suspects fled in a gray sedan, Bugarin said. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (323) 890-5500.