The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) requested the public’s help Oct. 31 in locating a suspect or the suspect’s vehicle wanted in connection with the murder of 51-year-old David Michael Gross, who was killed at the intersection of Wardlow Road and Orange Avenue on July 11, according to a department press release.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, at the recommendation of Supervisor Janice Hahn, issued a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder, wrote the department.
The LBPD stated that on July 11, at approximately 9:25pm, it dispatched officers to the intersection of Wardlow Road and Orange Avenue. The call was regarding a possible stabbing, which resulted in the death of Gross.
The officers at the scene discovered Gross had suffered multiple stab wounds. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The preliminary investigation determined the suspect vehicle, driven by a male subject, may have struck the victim as he was crossing the street, according to the department. Thereafter, Gross and the male subject became involved in a dispute, which resulted in the suspect stabbing Gross. The suspect then fled northbound on Orange Avenue in a white vehicle, the LBPD wrote.
During the LBPD’s investigation, detectives obtained surveillance video of the suspect vehicle, which is described as a 2011 to 2014 white Mazda3 Hatchback. The vehicle’s bumper was missing prior to the incident, and there may be damage to the passenger-side mirror as a result of the vehicle striking Gross, the department wrote.
The department posted a video to YouTube– bit.ly/2njfzF3– in which the suspect vehicle can be seen from four different camera angles.
The investigation remains ongoing. Those who have information about the vehicle or its owner can contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detective Don 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.
Photos courtesy LBPD
