"She didn't deserve this": Deadly shooting in Manteca killed a woman who was picking up her boyfriend
MANTECA -- A woman was shot and killed in Manteca while picking up her boyfriend from work, said authorities.
Family members confirmed to CBS13 that Ashley Waters, 23, died after a failed attempted carjacking. The shooting occurred on Sunday night at the 1300 block of West Yosemite Avenue.
According to the mother of the Waters' boyfriend, the 23-year-old was on her way to pick up her boyfriend from work at Rite Aid when she was shot.
Waters was waiting outside the Rite Aid, according to her sister, Alice Baum, when the suspects reportedly demanded her car keys and wallet.
Waters drove off as bullets grazed by, hitting her. She stopped at a Planet Fitness desperately seeking help but died, her family said.
Gymgoers were saddened to hear about what had happened.
"It's crazy," said Eric Johnston. "You would never think that something like that would happen here in Manteca."
Her death was part of a crime spree spreading throughout multiple cities.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office told CBS13 that three people, including a teen girl, were involved in an Oakland carjacking Sunday. Deputies and area police pursued them until the driver hit a tree in San Leandro. Only the girl survived the fiery crash. Authorities did locate a gun inside the suspect's stolen vehicle
Waters' death sparks another heated debate on gun reform.
"There are shootings that happened every day up and down California that you never hear about, but those lives matter too," said Leia Schenk, founder of EMPACT. "Whether it's someone being shot in the leg or it's something being shot five times in the body."
The social justice advocacy group helps families impacted by gun violence. The push comes after the governor proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution tightening gun access.
For Waters' family, their hearts ache over what could have been for the young woman.
"My sister just has the biggest heart. She was the sweetest thing," Baum said. "She didn't deserve this."
Loved ones and friends plan to hold a vigil Monday evening outside the gym.
The license place of the suspect vehicle was identified just after the shooting, and the vehicle was located in Alameda County. Alameda County Sheriff officers gave chase to the suspect vehicle and the pursuit ended up in a collision.
The police are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Garret Morrison at (209) 456-8212 or gmorrison@manteca.gov.
Waters' death is the fourth homicide in Mantaca in 2023. On February 16, a shooting death took place on Primavera Avenue. Then, on April 10, a woman was allegedly shot and killed by her husband at a residence on Davis Street. And on June 5, a man was shot and killed on Mono Street.
