Three people—a 23-year-old man and two teenagers—have been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting in downtown Long Beach that left two adults and a teenage boy wounded, authorities said on Sunday, June 27.
The shooting occurred about 7:30 p.m. Saturday outside the Hooter’s restaurant at Shoreline Drive and Aquarium Way, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
Two men and a 13-year-old boy were wounded, Police Chief Robert Luna told reporters at the scene. A 23-year-old man, who was struck in the upper body, was listed in critical condition at an area hospital. An 18-year-old man, who was also struck in the upper body, was listed in stable condition. The 13-year-old boy, struck in the lower body, was listed in stable condition.
The shots were fired from a vehicle and one bullet pierced the front door of the Hooter’s, Luna said.
Within minutes, officers were able to locate and detain a vehicle with three suspects believed to be involved in the shooting. A firearm was recovered from inside the vehicle and “there were multiple crime scenes located with evidence collected, as well as surveillance video from the area,” police said.
Jonathan Rodriguez-Zamora of Wilmington, 23, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, shooting into an inhabited dwelling, carrying a concealed weapon and driver permitting a person to discharge from a vehicle. Rodriguez-Zamora was being held in lieu of $3 million bail.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an inhabited dwelling.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, shooting into an inhabited dwelling, altering a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm on a person or in a vehicle while in a public place.
Whether the shooting was gang-related was “on the table,”’ Luna said.
The guests and staff at Hooter’s were traumatized by a bullet hole and blood on the floor from one of the shooting victims who ran inside for help, he said.
Witnesses told reporters at the scene they ran and took cover when the shooting started.
The department’s Gang Investigation Section urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to call them at 562-570-7370 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.