Mother slain in custody exchange at California police station

HAWTHORNE, Calif. (AP) — A man allegedly shot and killed the mother of his 17-month-old child during a custody exchange in front of a California police station and was arrested several hours later, authorities said. The child was not injured.

The mother was approaching the front door of the Hawthorne Police Department on Sunday to pick up the child when the father approached from a parking lot with a shotgun and opened fire, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department claimed.

A police officer rushed out and opened fire as the suspect left the parking lot in a vehicle that was abandoned a few blocks away, according to the sheriff's homicide bureau.

Brenda Renteria, 28, died at the scene, authorities said.

Officers blocked off streets and arrested Jacob Munn, 30, on suspicion of murder. It was unclear if he has an attorney.

A shotgun was found just outside the front doors of the police station.

Hawthorne is a Los Angeles suburb of 87,000 people.