(August 2, 2005) -- LB had two homicides in less than four hours on Aug. 1: a fatal shooting in the 2900 block of Santa Fe Ave. shortly after 7:30 p.m. and a second fatal shooting in the 800 block of E. 15th St. shortly before 11:30 p.m. in which a 16 year-old allegedly shot and killed a 13 year-old, perhaps accidentally.

The two shootings make three fatal shootings in a single day...with a midday shooting in the area of 10th St. and Walnut Ave. shortly before noon on Aug. 1.

The 15th St. shooting prompted comment from 6th district Councilwoman Laura Richardson...who indicated that a 16 year-old had shot a 13-year old in the face. The Councilwoman's comments came during an unscheduled Council discussion of police levels and public safety, sparked by public comment on non-agendized topics when the Council heard public complaints about thin police levels.

The public comments prompted noteworthy Council comments...and separate coverage of the discussion is coming shortly on LBReport.com.

Late today (Aug. 2), LBPD said it has successfully taken a suspect into custody in the 15th St. shooting. LBPD says its investigation revealed "that the suspect was handling a handgun inside a residence and may have accidentally shot the victim before fleeing the residence." The vicitm has been identified Brian Herbert, 13, of Long Beach.

In the Santa Fe Ave. shooting, LBPD says an unknown suspect approached the victim and fired his weapon toward the victim, after which the suspect fled the area. As we post, the victim's identity is withheld pending notification of next of kin. THe shooter remains at large...and anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Richard Conant or Russ Moss at (562) 570-7244.