Hollywood Woman Murdered in 'Random Act of Violence'

The Hollywood woman killed in a horrific crime described by police as a ‘random act of violence‘ has been identified. She was 30-year-old Carrie Jean Melvin.

Melvin was walking with her boyfriend near her home Sunday night, heading out for a bite to eat, when a man walked up behind her and blasted her in the head with a shotgun. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

• Hollywood Woman Killed With Shotgun Blast

The crime happened around 10:10 p.m. Sunday at McCadden Place and Sunset Boulevard, police said, about a block from Hollywood High. There are several businesses in the area. It is unclear at this time if the crime or suspect was captured on surveillance video.

“The suspect walked up and fired one round with a shotgun then entered a parked car and left the scene,” LAPD Officer Liliana Preciado said. He was described as a man of between 30 and 40. His car was described as a dark-colored sedan that drove north on McCadden Place. Any residents in the area who may have captured the vehicle on home surveillance systems should contact police immediately.

Melvin’s was the second ‘random act of violence’ to claim a woman’s life in California in less than a week--last Wednesday a San Francisco woman strolling along the waterfront with her father was shot dead by an undocumented man who had been deported five times.

• Woman Shot, Killed in Broad Daylight Near SF Ferry Building

The death of Kathryn Steinle, a Pleasanton native, has opened a national debate about illegal immigration and sanctuary cities, such as San Francisco, that refuse to cooperate with ICE on the deportation of undocumented prisoners.

Back in Hollywood, police are asking the public to provide them with leads, no matter how small, that could break open the case.

--City News Service contributed to this article; Image via DMV