Homicide Detectives Say Recent Tips Indicate Two June/July 2014 NLB Murders Are Related; Police Ask Witnesses To Come Forward With Info To Help Solve These Crimes

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(Dec. 31, 2014) -- In a release today (Dec. 31), LBPD says its Homicide Detectives recently received tips leading them to believe that two NLB murders in late June/early July 2014 are related -- and they're seeking the public's help with the investigations...and hoping that more witnesses will come forward.

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[LBPD release text] -- Long Beach Police are asking for the public’s help with the investigations of two murders which occurred in North Long Beach earlier this year. Detectives have recently received tips which lead them to believe the two crimes are related and are hopeful more witnesses will come forward.
On Friday, June 27, 2014, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers responded to the 5500 block of Dairy Avenue regarding a call of shots fired and discovered 28-year-old Marcel Johns of Long Beach who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation indicated Johns was riding a motorcycle at the time he was shot, which caused him to collide into multiple parked unoccupied vehicles. Johns was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Marcel Johns, fatally shot 5500 block Dairy Ave., June 27, 2014. LBPD released photo
On July 4, 2014, at approximately 12:33 p.m., officers were dispatched to a call of shots heard in the area of the 6500 block of Gardenia Avenue and located 24-year-old Kayon Dafney of Long Beach, in an alley in the 1900 block of E. 65th Street. Dafney sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Kayon Dafney, fatally shot area 6500 block Gardenia Ave. LBPD released photo
Both incidents are being investigated as gang related.
Anyone with information regarding either murder is urged to contact Long Beach Homicide Detectives Teryl Hubert, Scott Lasch, or Michael Hubbard at (562) 570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.