Domestic Violence Leads to the Murder of a Los Angeles Mother of Two

According to a recently published Los Angeles Police Department press release, police are currently investigating the murder of a female Los Angeles resident. She was shot on Sunday, September 23, during a domestic violence dispute.

As stated, the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at around 5:00 in the afternoon. Sharon Carter, the 31-year-old victim, was shot while driving her new 2007 Nissan Pathfinder southbound on the 9600 block of South Compton Avenue in the city.

The suspect is currently identified as 33-year-old Stephen Mark Picart, a male resident of Los Angeles. He was driving with Carter at the time of the shooting. He is described as being an African American male, about 5 feet 11 inches in height and roughly 150 pounds. Also, he was last seen wearing a yellow Hawaiian shirt.

Police were able to conclude that the suspect and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship and had lived together. However, the two had a history of domestic problems, including violence.

Shockingly, during the shooting, Carter's two children were also inside the car. They both witnessed the arguement and shooting of their mother that took place inside the SUV. Luckily, neither of the two children were harmed. The age of the two children has not been released by police at this time.

Moments after the shooting, Carter's SUV crashed with two other cars at the scene. Picart fled from the vehicle and ran northbound on Compton Avenue. Police believe that he is now driving a 2002 Nissan Altima with the California license plate 5VFN831.

A witness called police after the suspect fled. A Los Angeles City Fire Department Rescue Ambulance responded, but pronounced Carter dead at exactly 5:12 in the afternoon.

Police are now searching for the suspect. A recent photograph of Picart is available from the Media Relations Section of the Los Angeles Police Department.