The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying suspect(s) responsible for two shootings that resulted in the injuries of an elderly female and two male adults. The Office of LA County Supervisor Don Knabe is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shooting.
The shooting, which occurred in the late afternoon of January 17, 2010, in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue, took place when a gunman walked into the courtyard of an apartment complex where the victims were attending a barbeque with extended family. The gunman, who appeared to target a 26-year-old male Hispanic, opened fire, striking the male victim along with a 57-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man who was attempting to shield his 4-year-old son.
The gunman was brazen in the attack, committing the shooting during daylight hours at 4:30 in the afternoon with numerous people in the area. The shooter, described as a male Hispanic, between 5’6″ and 5’8″ with a medium build, moustache, and wearing dark clothing and a dark hat, was seen getting out of a white SUV prior to the shooting. Several witnesses reported seeing the SUV circling the area prior to the shooting. The SUV parked facing west on 23rd Street, east of Pine Avenue. The suspect exited and walked towards the family gathering.
After the shooting, the suspect was seen running to the vehicle and entering the passenger side before it left at a high rate of speed. The vehicle is described as a full-size older model square-shaped SUV. No other distinguishing features were described.
Following the shooting, all of the victims were transported to a local hospital and were expected to recover from their injuries.
This shooting has been connected to another shooting, which occurred on February 11, 2010, in the area of 11th Street and Myrtle Avenue. In this incident, a group of black males was seen chasing a group of Hispanic males on foot. A bluish-gray older model square SUV with primer spots pulled alongside the group of Hispanics and the driver was seen handing a gun out the window to one of the Hispanics, who then turned and shot at the group of black males. No one was hit by gunfire and the group of black males left the area prior to officers arriving on scene. Ballistic evidence recovered at the scenes allowed investigators to connect the two shootings.
A composite sketch of the white SUV (pictured) seen in the area of the Pine Avenue shooting has been developed and is being released to the public. Anyone who may have any information regarding either of these incidents is urged to contact Gang Enforcement Section Detective Bobby Anguiano at (562) 570-7370.
