Councilman Roberto Uranga Issues This Statement re Midafternoon Murder In His Council District of Cabrillo High Student Keshawn Brooks (Age 15), Fatally Stabbed While Walking Home Along 2800 block Santa Fe Ave.

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(March 13, 2015.) -- Seventh district Councilman Roberto Uranga (elected April 2014, took office mid-July 2014) issued this statement today (Mar. 13) following the midafternoon murder in his Council district of Cabrillo High School student Keshawn Brooks (age 15). As reported yesterday (Mar. 12) by LBREPORT.com, Mr Brooks was fatally stabbed while walking home from school along the 2800 block (between Willow and Spring Streets) of busy Santa Fe Ave.

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[Statement by Councilman Uranga] This is an immensely saddening time for the family of Keshawn Brooks and the West Long Beach community. I extend my sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and community members affected by this senseless act of violence.
My office will continue to work with the Police Department and Long Beach Unified to ensure the safety of all our students and community members.
As a parent, I strongly believe that all our children deserve a safe environment to learn and thrive. The ongoing racial and gang tensions in West Long Beach are unacceptable in a city as diverse as Long Beach and I will not allow our communities to continually live in fear.

As LBREPORT.com has previously reported, Thursday's WLB fatal stabbing comes barely six weeks after a Jan. 24 drive-by shooting in the 7th district neighborhood just west of Santa Fe. Ave. and three blocks south of Spring St. That shooting was the seventh in West Long Beach (of which LBREPORT.com is aware) within the past roughly ten months...and one of those shootings was fatal.

A motive for this incident is unknown and still under investigation.

This incident occurred across the street from Stephens Middle School at the time school was letting out and numerous parents were in the area picking-up their kids. Therefore, detectives believe many parents witnessed some or all of the incident, and would like them to come forward.

Although this incident did not occur on a school campus, the Police Department is working closely with the Long Beach Unified School District. The district will be providing grief counseling support to any students in need.

Anyone with information should contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Malcolm Evans and Mark Bigel Guarino at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-tips (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to crimes or (274637), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Further to follow on LBREPORT.com.