Victim’s friends, family believe she was killed by ex-boyfriend in South LA shooting

A manhunt is underway after police say someone fired shots, killing a woman who was involved in a multi-vehicle collision in South Los Angeles Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the area of East 21st Street and South Central Avenue around 11:30 a.m. after they received a call from someone who said they heard between seven to eight gunshots in the area and that they heard people running.

A short time later, officers were notified about a car crash that occurred blocks away near the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and San Pedro St.

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According to witnesses, one of the men involved in the crash exited his car, walked over to a maroon-colored vehicle and opened fire. The gunfire struck the driver and passenger and police pronounced a woman dead at the scene. 

A witness said he attempted to help the second person in the vehicle before he was taken to the hospital. 

Family and friends identified the woman killed as Cynthia Hairston.

"She was just a really good person; I watched five of her babies grow up," said her childhood friend, Barbara Taylor. 

Family and friends say Hairston had a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, who is believed to be the shooter. 

"Yes, there was a restraining order. When he got out she put a restraining order because he kept stalking her," stated family friend Joyce Williams.

LAPD officials have not yet confirmed if the shooting and car crash was a result of domestic violence. However, authorities believe the suspect is connected to both incidents.

The suspect was described as a Black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 240 pounds and around 58 years old.

He was driving a 2001 Toyota that has a missing front bumper and is believed to be armed with a handgun.

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