William sisters' killed in California

[Strive]

Sister of Venus, Serena Killed in Calif.

By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer

COMPTON, Calif. - An older sister of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams (news - web sites) was shot to death early Sunday, authorities said.

Yetunde Price, 31, was shot shortly after midnight in the Los Angeles suburb following a "confrontation" with some residents, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Scott Butler said.

No arrests were immediately made.

Price was with a man in a sports utility vehicle when the two became involved in a confrontation, Deputy Richard Pena said. He did not have details of the confrontation.

Price was shot in the upper torso. Deputies on patrol heard gunshots and went to the scene, where they found Price.

Price, of Corona, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The man who was with Price would be interviewed, Pena said.

At about 6 a.m., about 40 deputies surrounded a home where they believed three people involved in the shooting were barricaded, Pena said. However, when police entered the house six hours later, it was empty.

Price was one of five Williams sisters who spent their early years in Compton, a crime- and poverty-ridden community.

The family later moved to Florida. Their father and mother, Richard and Oracene, are divorced, and Price used her mother's maiden name.

She worked as a personal assistant to her sisters. She was identified as a registered nurse and a business management major in the 2003 media guide for the WTA Tour.

Carlos Fleming, who represents Venus and Serena Williams, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

WTA Tour spokesman Darrell Fry said he had no immediate comment.