Long Beach
Police Department

UPDATE 2/11/2021:

On Sep. 17, 2020, detectives from the Special Investigations Division located and arrested 30-year-old Long Beach resident Stephen Duong near his residence in the 1300 block of Rose Avenue.  He was transported to the Long Beach City jail and booked on one count of murder.  He is currently being held on $2,000,000 bail.

On the same day, detectives also arrested a female 16-year-old juvenile of Long Beach at a residence in the 1700 block of Gaviota Avenue.  The juvenile was transported to the Long Beach City juvenile booking and booked on one count of murder.

On Feb. 10, 2021, detectives responded to the Central Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles for a male 17-year-old juvenile who was already being detained on an unrelated charge.  The juvenile was transported to the Long Beach City juvenile booking and booked on one count of murder.  

Detectives believe victim Thai was lured to the murder location by one of the juveniles.  When the victim arrived, a brief conversation occurred, which escalated to a shooting.

The case against Duong and the female juvenile were presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office last September.  The case against the male juvenile will be presented later this week for filing consideration.

Original News Release 5/16/2020:

On May 16th, 2020 at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of E. 17th Street and Gaviota Avenue regarding a shots fired call, which resulted in the death of an adult male.

Upon arrival officers discovered a male adult victim in the drivers seat of a parked vehicle, who was suffering from gunshot wounds to his torso. Officers began life saving measures on the victim and requested paramedics. Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded and determined the victim deceased at the scene. The victim has been identified as Austin Thai, a 22-year-old resident of Gardena.

Witnesses stated a male adult, possibly African American, was seen running from the scene after the shooting. The motive for the shooting is unknown.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Gamboa or Hubbard 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.