Teenager Suspected in Family Member's Shooting in La Mesa Home

Susan Pierce, 59, was shot inside her home on Keeney Street on Dec. 6

Police have arrested a suspect in the strange shooting of a woman in her home in La Mesa: the victim’s 17-year-old family member.

The La Mesa Police Department (LMPD) said Wednesday that the teenager was arrested Tuesday, just before 9:30 p.m., in the 200 block of 50th Street in San Diego, in connection with a shooting earlier in that day that left the teen’s family member wounded.

At 11:42 a.m. Tuesday, police officers discovered Susan Pierce, 59, hurt and on the ground near the door of her home on Keeney Street. Pierce had been shot in the back.

The victim herself had called 911 to report that she may have been shot, police said. Pierce also reported that her white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was missing from her home.

Pierce was taken to a local hospital. On Wednesday, the LMPD confirmed she is expected to survive her injuries. LMPD Capt. Matt Nicholass told NBC 7 the victim is recovering, and beginning to talk.

About 10 hours after the shooting, LMPD detectives and U.S. Marshals officials located and arrested Pierce’s teenage relative and identified her as a suspect in the shooting. The teen was booked into Juvenile Hall on a count of attempted murder, police said.

No further details were immediately released, including specifics on the relationship between the suspect and victim. Due to her age, the suspect's name was not released. The motive behind the shooting was also not disclosed.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with details can call the LMPD at (619) 667-1400.

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