Reuters / Patrick T. Fallon

Police detectives investigate a shooting incident involving a blue Toyota Tacoma pickup truck in Torrance, Calif. Police opened fire on the vehicle in a case of mistaken identity while searching for former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner.

Updated at 5:59 p.m. ET: A mother and daughter who were mistakenly shot by Los Angeles police hunting for rampage suspect Christopher Dorner had no warning before bullets started whizzing through their newspaper-delivery truck, their lawyer said Friday.

"No command, no instruction, no warning. They just opened fire on them," said Glen Jonas, who is representing Emma Hernandez, 71, and Margie Carranza, 47, in possible legal action against the Los Angeles Police Department.

"They had no idea what was going on. They're huddling, covering up and praying and hoping they're not going to die."

Both women survived. Hernandez, shot in the back, was in good condition Friday. Her daughter suffered a hand injury and is physically fine but emotionally scarred, Jonas said.

The LAPD admits the predawn Thursday shooting was a case of mistaken identity that unfolded while police were guarding the Torrance home of someone named in a manifesto that ex-cop Dorner posted online about his twisted plans to avenge his firing.

Chief Charlie Beck said the officers saw a vehicle that matched the description of Dorner’s, driving through the dark streets with no headlights —and a "police-involved shooting" ensued.

Jonas said the women's blue Toyota Tacoma looked nothing like Dorner's dark-gray Nissan Titan, but that even if it had been a match, the police should not have fired on it.

Bret Hartman / EPA

Officers investigate a burned truck that is believed to belong to Christopher Jordan Dorner at the base of Bear Mountain Ski Resort in Big Bear Lake, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 7.

"They still have to give the guy an opportunity to surrender. You can't just execute him," the lawyer said. "It's in these high-stress situations where you follow your training and they violated every piece of training they ever received."

The LAPD had no comment on Jonas' claims, but it told NBC News the six cops who opened fire had been put on paid administrative leave — standard operating procedure for any officer-involved shooting.

Jonas said he expects the city will offer his clients a substantial payout; if not, he plans to file a federal civil rights lawsuit.

"Thank God they didn't die. It's a miracle they didn't," he said. "If it was a movie, you wouldn't believe it."

Related:

• Police searching Big Bear mountain for LAPD murder suspect Christopher Dorner
• Police to ex-cop in rampage: 'This has gone far enough'
• Alleged shooter named targets in manifesto

LOS ANGELES -- A man in his 80s described as problematic for years and angry with building management allegedly shot and killed two employees at a senior housing facility in Torrance before committing suicide Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened in the lobby of Golden West Towers, located at 3510 N. Maricopa St., shortly after noon Tuesday.

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The alleged gunman, who was not immediately identified, was a resident of the building for at least a decade, according to neighbors. He allegedly shot and killed a female manager who lived at the facility and a female caretaker who lived offsite.

Neighbors said the man had been a problem for years.

Alex Galindo, a maintenance worker at the facility, described the man as a "nuisance" and a "threat." Residents had petitioned the management company to evict the man, Galindo said.

"People knew he was a little bit off, and people were warned, but nobody did anything. So I know there's going to be blood on a lot of people's hands. That's all I can say," Galindo said.

Also, Galindo said, about a year ago, the man allegedly slashed the manager's car tires, prompting building officials to point security cameras toward the car as added protection.

Golden West Towers is a 14-floor, 180-unit senior housing facility that offers subsidized apartments, according to the city of Torrance.