If you value independent local news, become a sustainer today. Your gift could help unlock a $1M challenge.
Police Arrest 12 In Mass Shooting At 2019 Long Beach Party; Say Gang Mistakenly Targeted Location
Screenshot from Long Beach Police Department news conference where Chief Robert Luna outlined the murder investigation (Courtesy LBPD)
Long Beach police have arrested 12 people suspected of carrying out a deadly mass shooting at a Halloween-themed birthday party last year.
Three men were killed and nine other people were hurt last Oct. 29 when a group of suspects parked in an alley behind a house in the city's Rose Park neighborhood and began firing into the backyard. Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna says eight of the suspects are known members of a local gang — giving detectives a possible motive for the violence:
"This is an extremely complex and detailed case, and we now know that this was a pre-planned attack on what the suspects incorrectly believed to be a party of rival gang members."
Long Beach Chief of Police, Robert G. Luna will provide updated information regarding the shooting and murder investigation on the 2700 block of East 7th Street that occurred on October 29, 2019. Multiple arrests made. https://t.co/vOmxKs4iJo
— Long Beach PD (CA) (@LBPD) September 8, 2020
They recovered eight firearms in the process — three of which they said were untraceable "ghost guns."
At the time of the shooting, neighbors said they were stunned by the level of violence, in part because they had never witnessed any issues at that location which has a nail salon in front and a home behind.
Scene of mass shooting on the morning after gunmen opened fire on a Halloween party in Long Beach on 7th Street. (Megan Garvey/LAist)
Sponsored message
MORE ON THE CASE
- Read the news release for details about those arrested and the investigation (LBPD)
- 12 arrested in October mass shooting; police say killers mistakenly targeted party (Long Beach Post)
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
