22-year-old fatally shot waiting to turn on freeway, CA cops say. ‘Heart is shattered’
Last summer, a 22-year-old woman was fatally shot as she waited at a red light to turn on a California freeway, deputies say.
Now, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is offering a $10,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect in Raejonette Morgan’s July killing, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a Feb. 11 Facebook post.
“This act of violence has not only absolutely shattered this family but also left a gaping hole in our community with a lot of questions,” Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference. “We are here today to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects responsible for this heinous crime.”
‘Cold-blooded act’
Morgan was driving her white Mercedes Benz in South Los Angeles just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, Luna said.
As she waited at a red light to turn on the 105 Freeway, a blue Honda Civic pulled up beside her, according to Luna.
Those inside the car “opened fire” and shot at Morgan’s car more than a dozen times, Luna said.
Morgan was hit multiple times “in this deliberate and cold-blooded act,” Luna said.
She was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries on July 4, Luna said.
‘Vibrant 22-year-old’
At the news conference, Morgan’s mother called her daughter “a beautiful and vibrant 22-year-old.”
“My heart is shattered beyond repair,” Anginette Morgan said. “She had dreams, aspirations and a bright future ahead of her.”
She was studying criminal justice at Los Angeles City College, according to Luna.
“Raejonette was a kind, compassionate young woman,” Luna said, adding that he attended her funeral. “An amazing young woman.”
Morgan’s dreams started at a young age.
She joined the “I Have A Dream” Foundation — Los Angeles, which works with youth in underrescoured communities to help them reach their full potential, in the first grade in 2007, the organization said in a July 9 Instagram post.
“She was a no-nonsense person with a beautiful spirit inside and out,” the organization wrote. “She had a passion for helping others with a heart of gold.”
‘Community holds the keys’
Luna said the sheriff’s department is looking for anyone who may recognize the suspect’s “unique vehicle,” which he described as a blue, two-door 2016 to 2018 Honda Civic with a front spoiler and custom black rims and exhaust.
“We believe that the community holds the keys to information about this murder,” Luna said.
Morgan’s mother pleaded with anyone involved in her daughter’s killing to come forward.
“Can you honestly live with what you’ve done?” she said. “Every day, I grieve for the relationship that was so cruelly taken. I mourn for the grandchildren I will never hold, for the future moments of joy that were erased in an instant. You didn’t just take a life. You took away an entire lifetime of possibilities.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 323-890-5500.
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 1:28 PM with the headline "22-year-old fatally shot waiting to turn on freeway, CA cops say. ‘Heart is shattered’."
