Shooting Prompts Tighter Security

Security for the Compton City Council was bolstered this week after a council member and her sister were shot at as they returned from a meeting late Tuesday, authorities said.

Councilwoman Leslie Irving and her sister, council liaison Kellie Irving, were entering a gate next to their home at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday when two men in a black sport utility vehicle stopped and fired several shots at them before driving off, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Neither Irving, who took office in July, nor her sister was injured.

Sheriff’s detectives were investigating the shooting and “security was stepped up for the entire council,” said Sgt. Scott Anger.

The department also is providing “extra security checks” for the councilwoman and her sister, he said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Irving, Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux and Mayor Eric Perrodin voted to overturn the Planning Commission’s approval of a proposed swap meet across the street from Compton Fashion Center on Long Beach Boulevard.

“I do believe it’s politically motivated,” Arceneaux said of the shooting. “I’m not sure what the motive was, but we did reject [the Planning Commission vote].”

Arceneaux said residents voiced strong opposition to the swap meet at the meeting.

But Councilwoman Delores Zurita said she saw no connection between the vote and the shooting.

“I don’t think so, no,” she said. “God knows [Irving] hasn’t been on the council long enough to make any enemies. I just don’t know why anyone would want to shoot at her.”

Councilman Amen Rahh called the incident “a tragedy,” saying, “Every citizen in Compton is worried about shootings.” Rahh would not speculate about any possible motivation.

“I don’t know why,” he said. “My hope is that we offer a reward for the arrest of the people who did it. Let the police figure out who and why.”

Irving would not comment on the incident, saying she did not want to hamper the investigation. Perrodin was unavailable for comment.