Mother of Five Killed in South LA Robbery

A wreath and candles sat outside a South Los Angeles discount store Wednesday, where the night before, police said a mother of five children was fatally shot.

Martha Sanchez, 39, was closing the Happy Bargain 99-Cent St

Martha Sanchez is survived by her husband and five children. (Ashley Riegle / ATVN)

The gunman is believed to be an African American male in his 30s, Los Angeles Police Department Det. Eric Crosson told ATVN. The motive for the killing was robbery, police said.

Sanchez had worked for four years at the discount store, located near the intersection of 74th Street and Broadway - where an impromptu memorial drew mourners Wednesday.

"It was pretty shocking. This is the first time something like this robbery and murder happened," said store customer David Ponee. "And two blocks away from the police station."

Sanchez is survived by her husband and five children who range in age between 3 and 19. ATVN spoke with Sanchez's 18-year-old daughter Gabriella, who said her mother was loving and hard-working.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD's Criminal Gang/Homicide Division, Detectives Eric Crosson or John Ferreria at (213) 485-1383.