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Now It's Murder: Mini-Market Owner, 7th St./Cerritos (2nd District), Shot/On Life-Support Since March 2014 Robbery, Dies Of His Wounds; County Bd of Supervisors Renews $10,000 Reward; See Surveillance Video


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(May 27, 2015) -- LBREPORT.com is saddened to report that the 54 year old owner of a mini-market on 7th St. at Cerritos Ave. shot and robbed in March 2014, recently died of the wounds he suffered...after being hospitalized on life support since the crime.

The shooting of Felix Duran, well liked by neighboring residents in LB's 2nd Council district (represented by Councilwoman/now Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal since mid-2006), led to efforts by LBPD and volunteers to leaflet the area, hoping witnesses or others would come forward with information to help capture the gunman. To date, the armed robber -- now an alleged murderer -- remains at large.


Screen save from surveillance video

[Scroll down for further.]


On May 26, 2015, the LA County Board of Supervisors (at the recommendation of Supervisor Don Knabe) re-issued a $10,000 reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for murder of Mr. Duran (details below).

To view surveillance video of what took place [even when apparently edited by LBPD, disturbing and infuriating to view], click the embedded video below.

Below is a map, compiled by LBREPORT.com, showing murders and non-fatal shootings in the area in the roughly 14 months since Mr. Duran was shot and mortally wounded in his store. It shows murders (red Xs) and shootings (mainly blue Xs) since Jan. 2014 (so it includes less than 90 days before Mr. Avelar was shot.) The murder of Mr.. Avelar is now the red X on 7th St. between Alamitos and Orange Aves. The crime was on the south side of 7th St., so it's in the 2nd dist. represented since mid-2006 by Suja Lowenthal, directly across the street from the 1st district, represented from early-2009 to mid-2014 by now-Mayor Robert Garcia, and now represented by 1st dist. Councilmember Lena Gonzalez.


Red Xs=2014 and 2015 murders to date; Blue Xs=2014 and 2015 shootings, person wounded; Brown Xs=shots fired at victim(s), not hit; Purple Xs=2014 shots at occupied residence/vehicle; Green Xs=shots at unoccupied vehicle/residence; Grey Xs=shots fired (no hit, no target identified); Orange X's=non-fatal stabbings. Map is unofficial. A separate map (not shown here) indicates add'l shootings in NLB.

LBPD has issued the following release:

[LBPD release text] Last night, May 26, 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, at the recommendation of Supervisor Don Knabe, re-issued a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of 54-year-old Felix Avelar Duran of Long Beach, a mini-market owner who was shot during a robbery in March of 2014.

On May 19, 2015, Long Beach Police were notified by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office that victim Duran had succumbed to injuries caused by the shooting. He had remained hospitalized and on life support since the incident.

On Monday, March 24, 2014, at approximately 7:50 p.m., Long Beach Police were dispatched to the area of 7th Street and Cerritos Avenue regarding an unknown trouble call, possibly involving an assault with a deadly weapon. Arriving officers determined a robbery to a liquor store in the 1100 block of E. 7th Street occurred, and the store owner who was 53-years-old at the time, sustained a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported Victim Duran to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

Due to the extent of his injuries, Homicide detectives responded to the scene. Officers worked diligently throughout the night to collect evidence, review witness statements, and seek out any video surveillance that may have captured useful information.

In May of 2014, a reward was established by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, and investigators released surveillance video footage depicting the suspect entering the store, shooting the victim, and taking the cash register before fleeing on foot. The suspect was described as a male Black, late teens or early 20’s with an average build, and wearing a black hoodie-style sweatshirt with the word "Cali" across the front chest area.

Investigators are still hopeful the reward may prompt someone with information to come forward. Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is urged to contact L.B.P.D. Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch and Donald Goodman 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.




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