Long Beach
Police Department

UPDATE 7/26/2023 at 5:15 p.m:

Detectives make two arrests in connection to a July 26, 2023 murder of a male adult.

On July 26, 2023, detectives from the Special Investigations Division located and arrested Eloy Lobato Jr., a 37-year-old resident of Long Beach and Russell Nieto, a 35-year-old resident of Wilmington, for the July 25, 2023 murder of a male adult. 

Detectives located Lobato and Nieto in the city of Long Beach near the 4000 block of Long Beach Boulevard and were subsequently taken into custody. Lobato was booked on murder and possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $2,000,000. Nieto was booked on one count of possession of a firearm and one count of accessory to murder. His bail was set at $35,000. 

Detectives are still actively working to determine the motive for this incident; however, detectives believe the suspect and the victim were involved in a physical confrontation leading to the victim’s death. 

Detectives 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 Michael Hubbard or Jesus Espinoza 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 7/26/23 at 12:15 p.m.: 

Homicide detectives are investigating a murder that occurred on July 25, 2023, in the 6900 block of Atlantic Avenue. 

At approximately 10:04 p.m., officers responded regarding a report of a male subject suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper body. 

Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male adult victim in the parking lot of a local business, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid until being relieved at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department personnel. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.   

Homicide Detectives responded to the scene to investigate the incident. Through their preliminary investigation, detectives determined the victim confronted the suspect in the parking lot. During the confrontation, the suspect shot the victim and fled the scene in a vehicle prior to officers arrival.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner will work to identify the victim and notify the next of kin. 

The investigation to determine the motive for the shooting remains under investigation. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard or Jesus Espinoza 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