A 22-year-old pregnant mother was removed from life support after a daylight shooting in Canoga Park left her brain dead, and a man now faces felony charges.
Story Snapshot
- Police arrested a 30-year-old man after a shooting that struck two sisters in Canoga Park.
- Family says 22-year-old Adriana Jimenez, 16 weeks pregnant, was taken off life support; her baby did not survive.
- Prosecutors charged the suspect with three counts of attempted murder and firearm allegations; he pleaded not guilty.
- The victims were shot while sitting in a car outside their apartment; relatives say the suspect was known to the family.
What Happened on Northgate Avenue
Los Angeles reporters said the shooting happened on August 23 in the 8300 block of Northgate Avenue in Canoga Park, shortly before 8 a.m. Police told journalists the sisters were inside a black Toyota Camry when a gunman walked up and opened fire, striking both women. ABC7 identified the victims as Adriana and Maria Fernanda Jimenez, who were seated in a car outside their apartment near Roscoe and Topanga Canyon boulevards at the time of the attack.
The family told outlets that Adriana, age 22 and 16 weeks pregnant, was declared brain dead after the head wound and was taken off life support on Friday; they also said her unborn child did not survive. ABC7 reported Maria Fernanda was shot twice, including once in the neck, and is expected to live. Local coverage noted the family is rallying to support Adriana’s six-year-old daughter during the crisis and aftermath.
Arrest and Criminal Charges Filed
Two days after the shooting, police arrested 30-year-old Walter Francisco Rodriguez Garcia of Gardena in connection with the case, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged him with three counts of attempted murder and added special allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm; he entered a not guilty plea. NBC Los Angeles also reported the arrest tied to Adriana’s death following life support removal. The investigation into motive continues under law enforcement.
ABC7 reported a family member denied any gang ties and said the suspect was known to the family. The Times reported early details that pointed to a family-linked relationship, while noting detectives are still building the full case record. These accounts track with many domestic cases where early family statements shape the first public picture before full court filings and police declarations are made public through the process.
Community Safety and Justice for Victims
Neighbors in Canoga Park woke up to gunfire on a weekday morning, which underscores the danger when personal disputes turn into gun violence. Local research has found that intimate-partner killings in Los Angeles County often involve firearms, and many victims know their attacker. This case also involves a young mother and an unborn child, which adds to the grief and raises pressure for swift justice. Police and prosecutors now must present the evidence in court and secure accountability if the charges are proven.
A family is searching for answers after a shooting in Canoga Park left a pregnant woman brain dead and wounded her sister.
Adriana Jimenez was 16 weeks pregnant and preparing for a gender reveal later this month. Now, loved ones are mourning and trying to support her young… pic.twitter.com/m8RtYoCCZS
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) September 4, 2026
The family is dealing with funeral plans and support for a surviving child while the criminal case moves forward. ABC7 reported a fundraiser to either cremate Adriana or return her body to El Salvador, reflecting the family’s deep roots and needs during sorrow. While court proceedings will take time, the facts reported so far are clear: a targeted shooting at close range, two women wounded, one mother gone, and a community left asking how to stop violence that starts at home from spilling into the street.
Sources:
nypost.com, latimes.com, abc7.com
