Police need the public's help catching a masked gunman who attacked a woman in her own home in Westchester on Monday night.

Authorities said the woman had baked cookies for a neighbor in the 8100 block of Westlawn Avenue, and she left her door unlocked as she went next door to drop them off at about 11:20 p.m.

When she returned to the house about 15 minutes later, she sat down to watch TV when the suspect, wearing a ski mask, confronted her.

"A struggle ensued in which she was pushed to the ground, and one round was fired at her," said LAPD Det. Scott Walton.

The shot missed the woman and hit the garage door, Walton said.

The fight woke the woman's husband, who scared the gunman away. He fled with about $200 in cash. Police canvassed the neighborhood but were unable to find the suspect.

The suspect was seen leaving in an older model, light-colored vehicle, possibly a Thunderbird.

Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD Pacific Station at (310) 482-6334.