Kayla Yolanda Huerta was 17 and from Wilmington when she was shot and killed in the early hours of June 18, 2018. The shooting took place in the 700 block of West Sepulveda Street in San Pedro; Kayla was inside a light-colored Lexus sedan waiting for someone who lived in the area when a person inside the vehicle shot her at close range. She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 2:30 a.m.

Police arrested 25-year-old Luis Aurelio Morales of Wilmington on June 28, 2018, on suspicion of murder. He was charged with murder, assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. Investigators reported that Morales and Kayla had not known each other before that night, that they met during the incident, and that Morales became upset during a conversation and then shot Kayla before fleeing on foot.

Kayla was a high school student who planned to attend trade school and had a then-3-year-old daughter. Her family and community held vigils and raised funds to help with funeral costs. If anyone knew Kayla or saw activity in the 700 block of West Sepulveda Street around 2:30 a.m. on June 18, 2018, please share what is known.