By Rita Farlow and Jim Damaske, Times Staff Writers
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Rainbow Food Mart at 2575 East Bay Drive.
LARGO — Largo police are investigating a drive-by shooting that left a woman wounded Tuesday morning.
The woman, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital by helicopter.
According to Largo police, the woman stopped at the Rainbow Food Mart at 2575 East Bay Drive around 10:30 with three other people. The woman and two occupants of the car she was in got out of the vehicle and began walking into the store.
At that point, someone in a large, black sport utility vehicle opened fire. The woman, who was walking in the back of the group was shot in the lower torso and is in serious condition, said Largo police spokesman Lt. Mike Loux.
Police are looking for the SUV with license plate number U119JE, Loux said.
No one else was injured.
Cesarina Stanganelli, owner of Cesarina Deli and Bakery in the same strip mall, said a customer heard the gunshots and alerted her to the shooting.
"He said 'Lock the door, lock the door,' because we didn't know what was going on," she said. "It was very scary."
Stanelli said she saw the woman outside lying on the ground.
"Hopefully she makes it," she said. "She was in very bad shape."
Check back with This Just In for details as they become available.