The city of Long Beach in California is experiencing an uptick in gun violence, especially at night, leaving residents and tourists fearful of sampling the city’s night life.
19-year-old Mathew De Diego of Long Beach has been arrested and charged with murder after he allegedly shot an acquaintance to death in a parking garage in North Long Beach. De Diego will be arraigned on August 8, says the LA District Attorney’s Office.
The victim was 44-year-old Jeffrey Poorman, apparently known to De Diego. It is unclear what may have sparked the deadly altercation, and reports are confusing, possibly indicating that Poorman may himself have fired a gun, though he ended up dead allegedly after being shot by De Diego.
Witnesses called police just before 1:30 pm on July 23 to say they heard gunshots coming from a parking garage. Police arrived to find Poorman dead on the floor. They quickly located De Diego nearby and arrested him.
Chief of Police Wally Hebeish said “we do not tolerate gun violence in our community.”
De Diego is in jail awaiting his arraignment on a $3 million bond.
Then on Saturday, July 27, gunfire rang out again, this time near Alamitos Avenue in Long Beach. Someone hailed a passing police car to report there was a man who had been shot in the upper torso.
Cops administered CPR and first aid to the unidentified victim, who was eventually taken to the hospital where he was said to be in stable condition.
At the same time, police say another man who had been shot on the street drove himself to the hospital; he is also described as being in stable condition.
So far, investigators say both men were at the Junipero Beach parking lot when they were shot. But there is not much more detail. Investigators say they do not yet know whether the two victims knew each other, whether the shootings were connected, or what relationship either victim may have had with the suspect.
Long Beach police are asking the public to pass along any information they may have about the violent incident.
