An early morning shooting Wednesday claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman and left her mother wounded in Oak Park. Police are seeking the mother's ex-boyfriend.
Twenty-year-old Lapria Tyson died after the 12:50 a.m. shooting. Her mother, Blanche Brisco, 38, underwent surgery and was in stable condition Wednesday night, family members told The Bee.
Police said the suspect in the shooting in the 3600 block of 43rd Street is Ronald Mitchell, 51, who has a history of violence. Family members say Mitchell is Brisco's former boyfriend and a neighbor.
Police did not give a motive for the shooting, but family members said Mitchell and Brisco often argued heatedly.
Dozens of family members gathered at a Florin Road home late Wednesday afternoon to remember Tyson, whom family described as a kindhearted person who spent her days watching her three younger siblings and taking care of her blind, diabetic grandmother.
"She was the type of person who'd be there for you," said Jeanette Hall, her great-aunt.
Family members said they couldn't believe that the funny young woman who loved fried chicken and couldn't stop talking was suddenly gone.
Tyson took care of her siblings while her mother worked. Her father was rarely a part of her life after the age of 12, family members said.
They said Tyson, who didn't graduate from high school, had gotten in a lot of trouble as a child.
"(But) she overcame all her obstacles in her past," said a tearful cousin, Dominique Smith.
Tyson planned to start a program at the California Conservation Corps at the end of the month, family members said.
"She wanted to be a medical assistant," said "Big Red" Smith, a cousin who declined to give her first name because "that's what 'Pria called me."
Family members said Tyson had "a short person's personality." At 4 foot 11, she tended to be cocky and "when she get mad, she get mad," Andre Brisco, a cousin, said with a smile.
Her cousins recalled the first time they took her out to a club in April.
"All the cousins went that day, and it was so much fun," said "Big Red" Smith. "She was the laugh of the night."
Family members described the loss of Tyson as "a big shock," "unbelievable," "fake," and "like a dream."
Mitchell is described as black, 5 foot 9 and 210 pounds. He left the scene driving a black 2003 Ford Ranger, license plate number 7757CDP, police said.
Mitchell is considered armed and dangerous, police said. Anyone who sees Mitchell is asked to call 911.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.
Call The Bee's Andrea V. Brambila, (916) 321-1201.
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