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See LBPD News Conference: Chief McDonnell Reveals 80 Yr Old Los Cerritos Homeowner Has Been Residential Burglary Victim Three Times Before Latest Burglary; LBPD Says In Latest Burglary, Male & Female Suspects Physically Assaulted Him As They Allegedly Burglarized His Home; Homeowner Retrieved His Handgun, First Shot At Them While They Were Inside His House, Then Again As They Fled

PD Says He Believed They Were Responsible For Three Prior Burglaries To His Home; Female Suspect Died At Scene; Male Suspect Is In Custody (Suspicion of Burglary & Murder); 80 Yr Old Homeowner Isn't Arrested; LBPD Will Present Its Evidence to DA Friday (July 25)


(UPDATE July 25, 2014) -- As flashed on LBREPORT.com's front page at 2:27 p.m. today, the L.A. County Coroner's office tells LBREPORT.com that the woman fatally shot by an 80 year old homeowner on June 22 (after she and a male accomplice allegedly burglarized and assaulted the homeowner in his Bixby Knolls area home) was NOT pregnant. [Our add: as he pursued her with a gun, the homeowner says she told him she was pregnant.] (Source: Ed Winter, LA County Dept. of Coroner media spokesperson/ass't chief investigations.) (Source: Ed Winter, LA County Dept. of Coroner media spokesperson/ass't chief investigations.)

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(July 24, 2014) -- At an afternoon news conference today (July 24), LBPD Chief Jim McDonell provided new information (LBPD release text below) and fielded questions from Los Angeles and Long Beach news outlets (LBREPORT.com video below) after an 80 year old homeowner -- who police acknowledge had been been a victim of three previous residential burglaries in LB's affuent Los Cerritos neighborhood -- returned home to find a man and a woman inside his home who physically assaulted him (inflicting a broken collarbone) as they allegedly burglarized his residence.

In its release, LBPD says the homeowner managed to retrieve his handgun and allegedly first fired at the pair while they were inside his house. LBPD says the two suspects then fled, and the homeowner followed and allegedly fired at them again, hitting the female suspect, a 28 year old LB resident, who died at the scene. The male suspect, a 26 year old LB resident, ran off but LBPD subsequently located him (Chief McDonnell declined to say exactly where). The male suspect is now in custody on suspicion of burglary and murder (the latter by application of CA's felony murder rule, a killing while during the commision of certain felonies.)

LBPD says in its release that both suspects (identified by name in the release) "have criminal histories that are consistent with this type of crime."

LBPD also states in its release that it was the homeowner's belief "that the two suspects were also responsible for the prior burglaries, and might return in the future."



LBPD released images

LBPD has not arrested the 80 year old homeowner. Chief McDonnell says LBPD will be presenting the evidence it has gathered (including statements made by the homeowner to NBC4) to the L.A. County District Attorney's office (currently planned for Friday July 25.) The DA's office ultimately decides what charges if any will be ultimately filed and prosecuted.

[LBREPORT.com editor's note: In addition to seeking convictions, all prosecutors have a special legal duty to ensure that justice is done...a matter giving prosecutors additional discretion on what charges to pursue.]

Asked by a reporter about residential burglaries in the Bixby Knolls-adjacent area, Chief McDonnell acknowledged that the neighborhood had seen an "uptick" in residential burglaries.

To view the news conference, click here or click video icon below.

LBPD's release follows below:

[LBPD release text] On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to the area of Terry Lynn Place and Country Club Drive regarding a shots fired call, where a woman was found deceased.

When officers arrived, they located a woman who had been struck by gunfire, and an elderly male subject, the homeowner, who told officers he shot the woman after she broke into his house.

The homeowner indicated that he arrived home, parked his car and entered the house. He then stated that he was immediately assaulted by two suspects, one male and one female, who were burglarizing his home. The homeowner was struck repeatedly and ultimately thrown to the floor. The female continued to strike him, while the male suspect walked over to the homeowner's safe, attempting to break into it. The female suspect eventually stopped her assault and joined the male suspect in attempting to open the safe.

The homeowner was left unrestrained, and while the suspects continued to burglarize the home, he was able to retrieve a gun from another room in the house. He returned to confront the suspects and fired his gun at them while they were still inside his house. It was then that both suspects fled the residence with items taken during the burglary. The homeowner followed them as they ran out of the house, and fired at them again. The female suspect was struck by gunfire, fell in the alley, and died at the scene. The male suspect fled the location.

Detectives learned from the homeowner that he had been the victim of two reported, and one unreported prior burglaries to his home, where cash and other personal property had been taken. It was his belief that the two suspects were also responsible for the prior burglaries, and might return in the future.

While investigating this case, detectives were able to identify and locate the outstanding male suspect. He was arrested on July 23, 2014, and is identified as 26-year-old Gus Adams of Long Beach. He is currently being held on charges of murder and residential robbery, with bail set at $1,025,500.

The deceased female has been identified as 28-year-old Andrea Miller of Long Beach. The LA County Coroner's Office will determine whether or not she was pregnant. Both suspects have criminal histories that are consistent with this type of crime.

The homeowner sustained a broken collar bone and minor cuts and bruising to various parts of his body. Statements made by him to news media are being reviewed by detectives as part of the ongoing investigation

At the conclusion of L.B.P.D.'s investigation, the facts of this case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, who will determine what charges will be filed.

Anyone who may have any information regarding this investigation should contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark McGuire and Greg Krabbe at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Further as it develops on LBREPORT.com.



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