Police have obtained surveillance video they hope will help track down the suspect in the July 11 murder of 51-year-old California Heights resident David Michael Gross, who was struck by a vehicle and then stabbed to death by the driver at Wardlow Road and Orange Avenue.
Police say the suspect’s vehicle is a white Mazda3 hatchback from 2011 to 2014. The vehicle’s bumper was missing prior to the incident, and there may be damage to the passenger-side mirror caused by the vehicle striking the victim.
In the video, the vehicle can be seen from four different camera angles, in the center of the frame, at the following times: 00:07, 00:14, 00:27 and 00:34. The video is available at bit.ly/2njfzF3.
The incident took place shortly after 9pm on Wednesday, July 11. Long Beach police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Wardlow Road and Orange Avenue, where they encountered Gross with stab wounds. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.
The preliminary investigation determined the suspect’s vehicle may have struck Gross as he was crossing the street, after which he became involved in a dispute with the driver, who then stabbed Gross and fled northbound on Orange Avenue in a white vehicle.
Those who witnessed or have information regarding the incident are urged to contact homicide detectives Todd Johnson and Donald Collier at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to a smartphone or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
Source: LBPD
