Long Beach
Police Department
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-5273
(562) 570-5273
LBPDMediaRelations@longbeach.gov
UPDATE 8/8/23 at 5:15 p.m.:
Homicide detectives arrest two suspects in connection with the August 6, 2023, murder near 29th Street and Chestnut Avenue.
Homicide detectives have arrested Robert Mallard, a 23-year-old and John Nelson II, a 19-year-old both residents of Los Angeles for the murder of Kelvin Montoya.
On August 6, 2023, West Division officers detained Mallard and Nelson at a nearby hospital after they fled the scene of 29th Street and Chestnut Avenue. Officers determined the subjects were involved in the shooting and notified Special Investigation Detectives. Officers located a firearm discarded in the immediate area. Homicide detectives later gathered evidence identifying them as suspects in the murder.
Detectives believe that Montoya, Mallard, and Nelson were known to each other and met at a location to purchase marijuana. All three subjects subsequently ended up in a vehicle and were traveling through the city of Long Beach. While in the vehicle, a physical fight started with all three individuals, the fight escalated into a shooting and stabbing, near 29th Street and Chestnut Avenue, which resulted in Montoya’s death.
Both arrestees sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital.
The decedent has been identified as Kelvin Montoya, a 20-year-old resident of Long Beach.
Detectives believe the possible motive is robbery, however it is still being investigated. They will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration later this week.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Sean Magee or Juan Carlos Reyes at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org
Originally Released 8/7/23 at 7:30 p.m.:
Homicide detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on August 6, 2023 near 29th Street and Chestnut Avenue.
At approximately 7:21 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area. Upon arrival, officers located a male adult victim with injuries to the upper and lower body. Officers rendered medical aid until the arrival of Long Beach Fire, who transported the man to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
A short while later, officers located two additional male adults with injuries. Each were transported to local hospitals and are in stable condition.
Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are actively investigating the incident. Through their preliminary investigation, detectives determined an altercation between the three subjects escalated to a shooting. At this time, detectives believe this was not a random act of violence and that there are no outstanding subjects. The motive remains under investigation.
The decedent has not been identified, pending notification to next of kin.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Sean Magee or Juan Carlos Reyes at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org