A co-worker shot and killed Major Langer (pictured here)— a 75-year-old resident of Rolling Hills who was senior manager of law firm Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Harrison (PLBSH)— on Dec. 29 at around 2:25pm at the east 300 block of San Antonio Drive, according to the Long Beach Police Department. The incident took place at the business, where the gunman also injured another co-worker before turning the gun on himself.
At around 2:25pm, LBPD officers responded and arrived at the scene, where two male adults were found deceased with gunshot wounds inside the building of law firm Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Harrison (PLBSH). A gun was recovered at the crime scene.
The gunman, identified as 58-year-old John Alexander Mendoza of Redondo Beach— an employee of the firm— shot two victims, killing one and injuring the other, before turning the gun on himself, according to the LBPD. The injured victim, attorney Ron Beck, 64, was transported to the hospital prior to officer arrival and is in stable condition after suffering injuries to the torso and lower body.
The deceased victim is 75-year-old Major Langer, a Rolling Hills resident and senior manager of PLBSH, who was struck in the torso.
All parties involved were employees of PLBSH. A motive for the shooting is unconfirmed as of press time, but the Press-Telegram reported that Mendoza was either fired or in the process of being terminated. Other employees were present at the office, but no one else was injured.
PLBSH released a statement on Dec. 30 about the incident.
“We are shocked and saddened by the tragedy that occurred at the Law Offices of Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Harrison yesterday, leaving one of our partners dead and another injured in a senseless act of workplace violence,” the statement reads. “On behalf of our entire firm, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Major Langer, who was killed in this tragic incident. Major was a big part of the Law Offices of Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Harrison’s success. Major leaves his wife, children and grandchildren a legacy that was truly as special as he was. Our thoughts and prayers are with Major’s family, as well as with the family of Ronald Beck, who was injured and remains hospitalized at this time.”
On Friday, Dec. 29, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers responded to a workplace shooting at a Bixby Knolls business in the 300 block of East San Antonio Drive at around 2:25pm. The incident resulted in the deaths of two people— including the shooter— and the injuring of a third. A motive is unconfirmed, according to the LBPD.
The LBPD initially described the crime as an active-shooter situation, but it was later dubbed a workplace-violence incident when Sgt. Bradley Johnson briefed the media at the scene when more information became available. Johnson added that the weapon found at the scene was believed to be a handgun.
Law firm PLBSH, formerly known as PLBSMH, has removed all mention of Mendoza, who had been a partner, from its website and business name.
Those with further information can call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at (562) 570-7244 or visit lacrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by downloading the “P3 Tips” application to a smartphone.
