Long Beach
Police Department

UPDATE 7/23/20:

On July 22, 2020, at approximately 6:55 p.m., 23-year-old Long Beach resident Maria Urieta was arrested in the 400 block of West Broadway. Detectives believe Urieta was aware of the murder of Soktear Phuy, and provided aid to Juan Lopez to protect him from trial, conviction or sentencing. They anticipate presenting their case to the district attorney’s office late this week for filing consideration.

UPDATE 7/5/20:

The June 29, 2020 shooting victim has been identified as 33-year-old Long Beach resident Soktear Phuy.  Homicide detectives have worked tirelessly on this investigation while combining efforts with detectives from the Long Beach Police Department’s Gang Detail who have been investigating a series of similar shootings in recent months, all believed to be gang-related while involving many of the same suspects. 

Between July 3 and July 5, 2020, detectives located and arrested the following suspects:

20-year-old Long Beach resident Juan Lopez was arrested near his residence in the 1400 block of Cedar Avenue.  He was booked on one count of murder.

20-year-old Long Beach resident Ricardo Frias was arrested outside his residence in the 1500 block of Stanton Place.  He was booked on one count of murder and one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

23-year-old Hawaiian Gardens resident Brandon Garcia was arrested outside his residence in the 12000 block of 216th Street in Hawaiian Gardens.  Garcia was booked on one count of murder, and one count of attempt murder.

All three suspects are currently being held at the Long Beach City jail, each on a $2,000,000 bail.

Homicide and Gang detectives will continue their investigation until all involved suspects are brought to justice. Detectives anticipate presenting cases on the above-named suspects to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office early next week for filing consideration.

ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE 6/30/20:
On June 29, 2020, at approximately 7:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Rose Avenue regarding a shooting, which resulted in the death of a male adult.

Upon arrival, officers located a male adult laying in the courtyard of an apartment complex with gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Bystanders were attempting life-saving measures on the victim until they were relieved by the responding officers who requested paramedics. Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

At this time, the victim is only being identified as a male adult pending notification to next of kin by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

The exact motive for the shooting is currently unknown, however, the incident is being investigated as gang-related. Detectives are actively working to gather additional information to further the ongoing investigation.

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.crimestoppers.org.