Clues Sought in Slaying of Woman in Bed

PARAMOUNT — Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detectives are trying to piece together a bizarre Sunday night shooting that left a 43-year-old mother of six dead.

Sandra Franco was killed about 9:30 p.m. as she slept in her apartment in the southeast portion of the city.

Franco, who was asleep on a daybed in the living room of the two-story residence, was hit once in the back by one of two bullets that pierced the front windows, said homicide Lt. Barrett Fitzgerald.

Jesus (Jess) Garcia, 37, Franco’s common-law husband, who was apparently asleep beside her, was not hit. Two of Franco’s children who were upstairs, 4- and 7-year-old girls, were also unhurt, Fitzgerald said.

“We are not sure what kind of shooting this was. I’m not convinced it was a drive-by shooting. No car was heard,” said Fitzgerald.

The detective said he had no proof that the shooting is gang-related, and said he has no suspects. This is the fifth murder, all by gunshot, in Paramount this year. None have been gang-related and none are believed connected.

“This really is not a gang area. We have several gangs in Paramount but there are no gangs in conflict in this area,” Fitzgerald said.

A coroner’s spokesman said an autopsy would be done this week but was not expected to add significantly to the investigation. Ballistics tests will be done on the bullets retrieved in the autopsy and from the house.

The shooting in the residential area, which is dotted with apartments and modest homes, has frightened and mystified neighbors and friends of Franco.

“I heard two shots. I never heard a car,” said a neighbor who asked not to be identified.

“This is a hell of a shock. She was such a sweet person,” said Gloria Franks, interviewed at Franco’s residence Tuesday.

Franco had moved to the neighborhood about eight months ago from Watts, where she lived for more than five years, according to Franks, a Watts resident who was Franco’s neighbor.

Handicapped in Accident

Franco was partially handicapped in an accident more than five years ago and used a wheelchair, crutches and a cane to get around, Franks said.

Franco, has six children ages 7 through 26.

On Tuesday afternoon, neither Jesus Garcia nor any of the children were at home.

Instead, Franks and her brother, David Fields, were watching the apartment and cleaning. They had been told of the killing shortly after it happened, went to help and remained there.

Franks said that Franco was planning to move soon to the San Fernando Valley to be near other relatives, including her mother and sisters.

Family members could not be reached for comment.