After Boyfriend Confronts Burglars, Woman Shot, Killed In RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Police Friday released the name of a 50-year-old Riverside woman who was fatally wounded when a man fired a gunshot into her home after attempting to burglarize her boyfriend's car.

Linda Ferguson was killed in the predawn hours Thursday in the 3000 block of Cedar Street, near Houghton Avenue, according to Riverside police.

Officer Ryan Railsback said Ferguson and her companion were awakened about 3:40 a.m. when an unidentified man attempted to break into the boyfriend's vehicle parked across the street.

The car owner shouted at the would-be burglar, who jumped into a white sedan, as if preparing to flee the location, investigators said.

"A few moments later, a single gunshot was fired into the residence, and the suspect vehicle was seen leaving the area," according to a police statement.

Ferguson was struck in the upper body. She was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where she died less than an hour later, according to the Riverside County Coroner's Office.

Her boyfriend, whose name was withheld, was not hurt.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the police department's detective bureau at 951-353-7105, or 951-353-7134.

— By City News Service