LBPD Blotter - May 17, 2023

Welcome to the LBPD Blotter!

As part of our ongoing commitment to external communications and providing valuable information to our community, the Department posts preliminary information about incidents that occurred the previous evening, including shootings and stabbings, as well as any other LBPD updates to the Department’s homepage and on the “News” tab of the Department’s website. This page will be updated as new incidents occur.

Significant event from last night: 

• Search warrant leads to firearm and drug seizures - In collaboration with LBPD detectives and the FBI—the LBPD South, West, and North Directed Enforcement Teams (DET) served a search warrant for two locations, following an investigation stemming from community tips. Through their investigation, officers obtained sufficient evidence to obtain a search warrant for residences in the 800 block of Cerritos Avenue and the 1000 block of Cerritos Avenue. 

  On May 16, 2023, during their search warrant service, officers and FBI agents contacted a male adult suspect in the 800 block of Cerritos Avenue. Detectives and officers searched both locations and recovered suspected fentanyl, ammunition and an unserialized AR-15 style rifle.

  Officers arrested the suspect, Juan Gaona, a 46-year-old resident of Long Beach, who was booked for one count of prohibited possessor in possession of a firearm, one count of prohibited possessor in possession of ammunition, and one count of illegal possession of an assault weapon. Bail was set at $50,000. The investigation is ongoing.

  Great work by our officers and a big thank you to our law enforcement partners for this excellent collaboration! 

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Here’s a recap of incidents occurring last night:

• Officers Investigate a Hit Shooting: On May 16, 2023, at approximately 11:59 p.m., officers responded to the area of Del Amo Boulevard and the 710 Freeway regarding a hit shooting. Upon arrival, officers contacted a male adult victim with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his upper body. Through their investigation, officers learned that the victim was sitting inside his tent when he was struck by gunfire. The suspect(s) fled the scene before police arrived. Officers located evidence, including bullet casings and strike marks, indicating a shooting had occurred. Long Beach Fire Department personnel provided medical aid and transported the victim to a local hospital. Suspect information and the motive for the shooting is under investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

• Officers Investigate a No Hit Shooting: On May 17, 2023, at approximately 1:26 a.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of W 19th Street regarding a shooting. The preliminary investigation indicates a male adult victim observed a male adult suspect he believed may vandalize his vehicle. The victim confronted the suspect, who got into another vehicle and fled the area. The victim got in his vehicle and followed the suspect vehicle. The suspect fired shots toward the victim's vehicle, striking the vehicle. The victim was not injured and the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived. Officers located evidence in the 2000 block of Fashion Avenue, including bullet casings and strike marks, indicating a shooting had occurred. Suspect information and the motive for the shooting is under investigation. The investigation is ongoing.