Long Beach
Police Department

Update 03/31/2021: Murder Investigation

Detectives recently received information that the 51-year-old male in the hospital succumbed to his injuries on March 21, 2021. Detectives confirmed the death with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner – Coroner’s Office. The victim has been identified as 51-year-old Byron Miller of Buena Park. His death is being investigated as a murder, pending the outcome of the autopsy.

Through their investigation, detectives discovered the Feb. 22, 2021 dispute began with a reported physical assault involving parties known to Byron Miller and Lavelle Brandon. The assault occurred in a nearby city the same day. After learning of the assault, Byron Miller and the 49-year-old female responded to a residence in the 300 block of E. 25th Street to confront one of the parties from the assault. This confrontation led to the exchange of gunfire. The individuals involved in the initial assault were not present when the gunfire erupted. The investigation is ongoing and is being investigated as gang-related.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Oscar Valenzuela or Eric Thai 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.

Original News Release Published 02/23/2021: Homicide Investigation
On Feb. 22, 2021, at approximately 10:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of E. 25th Street regarding a shooting, which resulted in the death of a male adult.

Upon arrival, officers located a male adult inside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Officers rendered medical aid until Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that day. The decedent has been identified as Lavelle Brandon, a 45-year-old resident of Long Beach.

A short while later, officers contacted a 49-year-old female and a 51-year-old male who self-transported to a local hospital with gunshot wounds. The female adult sustained gunshot wounds to her lower torso and the male adult sustained gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Through their investigation, officers determined the two subjects were shot at the 300 block of E. 25th Street incident.

Based on their preliminary investigation, detectives believe all three subjects are known to each other and that a dispute between them occurred in the street outside a residence, which escalated to an exchange of gunfire between two of the subjects. Detectives are actively investigating the involvement of each subject in the shooting. Two firearms were recovered at the scene. No suspects are believed to be outstanding, the motive is under investigation, and detectives are working to gather additional information.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Oscar Valenzuela or Eric Thai 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.