Three individuals were arraigned on Jan. 29 in connection with multiple gang-related shootings that occurred in Long Beach last year, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD). A fourth associate was also arraigned in connection with an incident that occurred in Los Angeles.
After what the LBPD calls a lengthy investigation, homicide and gang investigators with directed-enforcement officers arrested Semaj Rashaad Harris and Deante McNeese on Jan. 21, 2016. Sohntee Laray Webb was already in custody on unrelated charges.
On July 28, 2015, around 4:30pm, a no-hit shooting occurred in the 700 block of Washington Place. On Aug. 24, 2015, at about 9:30pm, a shooting occurred in the 500 block of East Burnett Street, where a male adult sustained multiple gunshot injuries. Shortly before the last shooting, around 9:25pm, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East 16th Street regarding two pedestrians who were struck by a vehicle. Investigators determined the same suspects were involved in both incidents.
Two shootings resulted in the deaths of male adults. On Sept. 7, 2015, around 9:51pm, officers responded to a shooting in the 400 block of West 5th Street that resulted in the death of 34-year-old James Ratliff of Long Beach. On Sept. 16, 2015, at approximately 12:49am, officers responded to the 1200 block of Chestnut Avenue, where a shooting resulted in the death of 24-year-old Rodrigo Perez Salazar of Long Beach.
Detectives presented their cases to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which filed the following charges:
• Semaj Rashaad Harris, 24 years old and a resident of Long Beach, was charged with two counts of murder, six counts of attempt murder and one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling. Harris is being held in Los Angeles County Jail with bail set at $7,050,000.
• Deante McNeese, 22 years old and a resident of Long Beach, was charged with two counts of murder, six counts of attempt murder and one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling. McNeese is being held in Los Angeles County Jail with bail set at $7,050,000.
• Sohntee Laray Webb, 24 years old and a resident of Palos Verdes, was charged with one count of murder, three counts of attempt murder and one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling. Webb is being held in Los Angeles County Jail with bail set at $4,050,000.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives contacted LBPD gang-investigation during the course of their investigation regarding a gang-related, no-hit shooting that possibly involved the same suspects. The incident had occurred on July 1, 2015, around 1:30pm, in the area of West Pico Boulevard and South Vermont Avenue. In addition to Harris and McNeese, Long Beach investigators determined Traveon Miller was involved, and arrest warrants for all three were issued. On Jan. 25, 2016, LBPD officers arrested Traveon Armando Miller, 24 years old and a resident of Long Beach, on the $1,585,000 arrest warrant for attempt murder. Miller was also arraigned Jan. 29.
All four remain in custody and face multiple life sentences.
The investigations remain ongoing. Those with information regarding the two murders are asked to contact the homicide detail at (562) 570-7244. Those with information regarding the shootings are urged to call the gang investigation section at (562) 570-7370. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES) or visit LACrimeStoppers.org .
