Long Beach
Police Department

Media Relations
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-5273
4/24/2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 2015
Subject:
OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
Contact:
Media Relations
(562) 570-5273






On Thursday, April 23, 2015, at approximately 2:45 P.M., officers responded to a residential multi-unit complex in the 1100 block of Hoffman Avenue regarding a report of several subjects unlawfully trespassing and vandalizing inside a vacant residence which resulted in an officer involved shooting. 
 
The preliminary investigation as determined the following.  
 
  • When the officers arrived they discovered an open window with no screen at the rear of the residence.
  • The officers located a second window that was broken, with the screen removed. 
  • An officer looked through the opening to the broken window and observed a male suspect standing next to a wall. 
  • The officer observed the suspect turn towards him, while bending his knees, and extended an arm out as if pointing    an object which he perceived was a gun.
  •  The suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced deceased. 
  •  The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Hector Morejon of Long Beach. 
  •  No officers were injured during this incident. 
  •  The interior of the residence was covered with gang-related graffiti. 
  •  A weapon was not recovered from the scene.  
 
The following individuals were arrested related to this incident. 
 
Name                  Age      City of Residence               Charges
Edgar Rodarte      20         Long Beach                   Trespassing 
German Rodarte   21         Long Beach     Trespassing Gang Injunction Violation
Yesenia Pineda     22         Long Beach                   Trespassing
Celia Cox              22         Long Beach                   Trespassing
 

The Police Department thoroughly reviews all use of force incidents through a rigorous multi-step process that evaluates legal, policy, tactical and equipment issues. In addition, all officer involved shootings where a death occurs, are independently investigated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
 
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.