A Southeast Baltimore woman was shot to death last night when she answered a knock at her door, police said.

Detective Joseph Kleinota of the homicide squad said Mercedes Jiminez, 31, of the 1700 block of Dundalk Ave. was shot at least twice in the upper body about 6: 45 p.m. and fell back into the foyer of her two-story home, where she was found by family members and friends who were in the house at the time.

Jiminez was rushed by ambulance to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later, Kleinota said.

He said those in the house heard Jiminez go to the door and speak to someone before she was shot, but were unable to tell police whom she spoke to or what was said.

Pub Date: 10/22/98