Woman killed when shooter opens fire through back window of SUV in Orange; suspect at large

ORANGE, Calif. (KABC) -- A shooter opened fire through the back window of a SUV in Orange overnight Monday, killing the woman behind the wheel, authorities said.

The shooting occurred as the victim was driving a Honda CRV in the area of Highland Street and Del Mar Avenue, according to the Orange Police Department. Police and firefighter-paramedics responded to the scene shortly after 12:30 a.m.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, a police spokesperson said. Her identity was not immediately released. A female passenger was unharmed.

The aftermath of the senseless shooting in the city of Orange has residents who live nearbyare saddened but not surprised.

"I've been here for 20 years. It's a regular thing that we see so nothing, I don't think anything is going to change. It's been always like that," said a resident.

Jason Dowlin works in the city of Orange and said "You don't see this every day but, you know, it seems like it's just getting closer and closer to home."

Residents said the shooting could have caused another death.

"You don't know where it's going to hit, you know. It could go through our wall or something," she said.

After the victim was shot, the Honda CRV continued moving until it crashed into a car that was on the street.

People who know the area want to know why the SUV was targeted.

"You don't see a lot of traffic coming out of here because it's kind of tucked into this corner," said Dowlin. "I would assume that the person who was killed was probably a resident here, maybe dropping somebody off or maybe picking somebody up."

The unidentified shooter fled on foot and remained at large. A description of the suspect was not available.

Orange Police considers the area where the fatal shooting happened to be one of the city's gang neighborhoods but they don't know if this particular incident is a gang motivated crime.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, according to police.

Anyone with information on the fatal shooting is asked to contact the Orange Police Department.