A 14-year-old girl has been apprehended and charged in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old woman in California, who was the offspring of a prominent human trafficking activist. The young woman, Kendra Reana McIntyre, was tragically killed in a shooting incident on March 21 while strolling in a South Los Angeles neighborhood notorious for sex work and human trafficking.
According to investigators, McIntyre herself had been a victim of human trafficking. The fatal shooting occurred near the intersection of 70th Street and Figueroa Street in the early hours of the morning. Following the incident, McIntyre was rushed to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The victim’s mother, Debra Rush, is a well-known figure in the fight against human trafficking. She is the co-founder and CEO of Breaking the Chains, a non-profit organization based in Fresno. The organization operates a safe house and collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to provide support and rehabilitation to those affected by human trafficking.
Rush revealed that her daughter had experienced “childhood trauma” and struggled with “severe mental health issues.” In a statement, she expressed her grief, stating that her daughter never had the opportunity to overcome her personal struggles, despite the family’s efforts to help her.
The LA Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that McIntyre had sustained gunshot wounds to the head and neck. Two months after the incident, the South Bureau Homicide Division identified the teenage girl as a suspect in the murder. The LAPD has not disclosed the details of how the teenager was implicated in the crime. She was taken into custody without any complications earlier this week.
The LA District Attorney’s office has since filed a murder charge against the minor. The tragic incident underscores the ongoing issue of violence and human trafficking in the region, and the urgent need for continued efforts to combat these crimes.