In some of the toughest neighborhoods, it is an unwritten rule that certain people are off limits. The ice cream driver is one of those people you leave alone and that is why so many people in Vallejo are in shock.
"My son called me and said, 'Mom somebody shot the ice cream lady.' I came around here because I couldn't believe it," said neighbor Terry Joseph.
Armajit Kaur, 39, was found slumped over in the driver's seat of her ice cream truck, around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. Police say she was shot at least once in the chest at Springs Road and Castlewood Drive near Springstowne Middle School.
"Recently, we've had several reports of robberies occurring in this area by juveniles," said Vallejo police Lt. Able Tenorio.
Police believe the suspect may be a juvenile.
They are also looking for a person of interest. He is a Hispanic male who was acting suspiciously in a nearby store shortly after the shooting. He is between 5'6" and 5'10" tall, about 200 lb. with a large build, and he was wearing a black pea coat.
The victim's sister-in-law, Manjit Kaur, says the ice cream lady is a widow with three children, who lost her husband to a heart attack several years ago.
"She thinks they lost everything. Whose going to take care of three kids? She was the only bread earner for them, and they think it's a complete loss to them if she doesn't come out of it," said a translator for Kaur.
"All crimes are concerning, but this is just unusual for us," says Lt. Tenorio.
Relatives say Armajit Kaur leased the ice cream truck and only made about $50 a day.
"She never would have taken up a fight or nothing like that. She would rather give it away and just gone home," said Kaur.
It is a crime that is disturbing even in some of the toughest parts of Vallejo.
"She's always around, but it's just awful. You can't even come out and get an ice cream any more. It's not safe anymore," said neighbor Angela Cook.
Family members say Armajit Kaur is in serious condition, undergoing surgery at John Muir Hospital, in Walnut Creek.
Police are offering $1,000 for information leading to the person of interest.
If you have information regarding this case, call the Vallejo Crime Stoppers line at (707) 644-STOP (7867).
