A homeless man was fatally shot in a possible gang-related attack at an encampment in Long Beach, and police were seeking on Monday, Jan, 11 at least two men who ran from the scene.
Samuel Villalba, 64, died at the scene of the shooting, which was reported about 8 p.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of East 68th Street, the Long Beach Police Department reported.
Responding officers located the victim in a homeless encampment adjacent to the westbound traffic lanes of the Artesia (91) Freeway. Investigators said Villalba lived at the encampment and was shot multiple times in the upper body.
“The victim was non-responsive, and officers immediately began performing life-saving measures,” a press release from the Long Beach Police Department said. “The Long Beach Fire Department responded and determined the victim deceased at the scene.”
Descriptions of at least two men seen running from the location were not released. Two or more male suspects were seen fleeing on-foot toward Cherry Avenue according to witnesses at the scene, the press release said.
“The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, although it is being investigated as gang-related,” police said.
Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Donald Collier or Leticia Gamboa at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
